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Class - IX
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UNIT - 2
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N 1. Improvement in Food Resources 1

T 2. Why do we fall ill 29

S 3. Natural Resources 49
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 Chapter

Improvement In Food Resources

1
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Food Sources
1.2 Why do We Need to Improve Crops
1.3 Impacts of Green Revolution
2.0 IMPROVEMENT IN CROP YIELDS
2.1 Types of Crops
2.2 Types of Crops on the Basis of Season
3.0 AGRICULTURE
4.0 CROP VARIETY IMPROVEMENT
5.0 CROP PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
5.1 Nutrient Management
5.2 Irrigation
5.3 Cropping Patterns
6.0 CROP PROTECTION MANAGEMENT
6.1 Pest
6.2 Pesticide / Biocide
6.3 Weed
6.4 Crop Disease
7.0 STORAGE OF GRAINS
8.0 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
8.1 Cattle Farming
8.2 Poultry
Uni t t w o

8.3 Pisciculture
8.4 Apiculture

EXERCISE 1 (ELEMENTARY)
EXERCISE 2 (SEASONED)
EXERCISE 3 (CBSE PATTERN)
EXERCISE 4 (COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT)
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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

IMPROVEMENT IN FOOD RESOURCES

(IFR – 1)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Food is the source of energy for all living organisms. Plants, animals and micro organisms all
require food. Some organisms such as plants are able to prepare their food by photosynthesis.
Other organisms like animals and fungi can not prepare their food by themselves. So, they depend
on plants for their food requirement.
"Food is the combination of various organic and inorganic substances which are
capable of providing energy for the various metabolic activities."
It usually consists of plant or animal origin, that contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates,
fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals, and is ingested and assimilated by an organism to produce
energy, stimulate growth and maintain life.
1.1 Food Sources
(i) Plants: Many plants or plant parts are eaten as food. Plant provides cereals, vegetables,
spices and fruits.
(ii) Animals: Animals are used as food either directly or indirectly by the products they produce.
Meat is an example of a direct product taken from an animal.
Food products produced by animals include milk, which is processed into dairy products
such as cheese or butter.
In addition birds and other animals lay eggs, which are often eaten, and bees produce honey,
using nectar from flowers, which is a popular sweetener in many cultures.
1.2 Why do we Need to Improve Crops?
As the population of the world continues to increase, the demand for food also increases. Some
estimates suggest that to provide enough food for the increasing population, we need to produce as
much food in the next 20 years as we had in the last 10,000 years.
Increased crop yields, pest resistance and tolerance to environmental stresses have been the targets
of plant breeders. There is also progress towards improving food quality, as well as quantity, by
improving the nutritional benefits of food crops.
The Green revolution, great increase in the field of food grains, especially wheat crop is a sterling
example of how the development of strains suited for developing countries, and a multifaceted
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

approach to agriculture, can greatly increase food production.

1.3 Impacts of Green Revolution
The green revolution launched the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and insecticides on a large
scale, causing unimaginable damage to the fertility of the soil and destroying the micro nutrients in
it.
The hybrid variety of crops intended to boost productivity could not resist pests. Further only a few
varieties of seed were promoted. This led to the loss of variety in seeds and crops. The excessive
use for water that the green revolution promoted has led to the drying up of water sources.
Thus, it has become far more important that we should increase food production without degrading
our environment and disturbing the natural balance. Therefore, there is a need of practising farming
using principles of ecology.
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Class IX : Biology

The practice of farming and production of maximum agriculture yield through management of
natural resources without disturbing the environment is known as sustainable agriculture. It has
the following objectives :
(i) Satisfy human food and needs.
(ii) Sustainable use of fertilizers and pesticides.
(iii) Enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole.
2.0 IMPROVEMENT IN CROP YIELDS
Crops: Plants of same kind which are grown and cultivated at one place on a large scale are
known as crops.
2.1 Types of Crops
(i) Cereals : These are rich in carbohydrate and thus provide energy.
Example : Rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, barley, millets.
(ii) Pulses : These are rich in protein and thus helpful for body building.
Example: Gram(chana), moong, pea(matar), lentil(masoor), urad(blackgram), pigeon pea.
(iii) Oil seed crops: These are rich in oil and fatty acids.
Example: Groundnut, linseed, sunflower, soyabean, mustard, sesame.
(iv) Vegetable crops : These provide vitamins, minerals along with small quantities of
carbohydrate, protein and oils.
Leaves : Cabbage, spinach, lettuce
Roots : Carrot, radish, turnip, sweet potato
Stems : Potato, corms, rhizomes (ginger)
Bulbs : Onion, garlic
Fruits : Tomato, brinjal, gourd, cucumber
Flowers : Cauliflower
(v) Spices : They are used for enhancing palatability.
Example : Chilly, black pepper, ginger, turmeric.
(vi) Fodder crops : These provide green fodder to the cattle.
Example : Berseem, sorghum, maize, oat, sudan grass, alfalfa.
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

2.2 Types of Crops on the Basis of Season

Different types of crops require different climatic conditions like temperature, humidity and
photoperiods (duration of sunlight).
Crops are divided into two groups on the basis of growing season.
Kharif crops : These crops are sown in the months of June/July and harvested in September/
October every year.
Example : Paddy, maize, sorghum, pearl millet.
Rabi crops : These crops are sown in the months of October/November and harvested in March/
April every year.
Example : Wheat, oat, barley and pea.
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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

Table: Differences between Kharif and Rabi crops

Kharif crops Rabi crops

These are autumn or monsoon crops. The
The sowing starts in winter season.
sowing starts in rainy season.
They are sown in June-July. They are sown in October-November.
They are harvested in September-October. They are harvested in March-April.

They require warm and wet weather. They require dry and cold weather.
They need a lot of water. They do not need lot of water.
They can be converted into rabi crops if
They can not be converted into kharif crops.
plenty of water is available.
eg. – Rice, Cotton, Bajra, Jowar, eg. – Wheat, Barley, Gram, Pea, Mustard,
Groundnut, Maize,Spinach, soyabean, Linseed, Potato, Orange, Apple.
pigeonpea
3.0 AGRICULTURE
It is an applied biological science which deals with the production of plants and raising of livestock
for human use.
Agriculture

Agronomy Animal husbandry

1. Horticulture - production of fruits, Ornamental plants, nuts etc. 1. Cattle farming
2. Olericulture - production of vegetables and herbaceous plants for food. 2. Poultry
3. Floriculture - production of flowers 3. Pisciculture
3. Apiculture
In India there has been a four times increase in the production of food grains from 1960 to 2004
with only 25% increase in the cultivable land area.
The major groups of activities for improving crop yields can be classified as :
(i) Crop variety improvement (the choice of seed for planting).
(ii) Crop production management (the nurturing of the crop plant).
(iii) Crop protection management (the protection of the growing and harvested crops from loss)
4.0 CROP VARIETY IMPROVEMENT
Methods of crop improvement
(1) The traditional method of crop improvement is by sexual hybridization, making crosses
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

between two genetically dissimilar plants with desirable characteristics. At fertilization, the
genetic information from each parent recombines, so characteristics from each parent are
inherited to the offspring. However, many other features are also inherited, along with the
desirable one.
In order to obtain improved variety following steps should be taken.
Choice of Parents : Select two varieties of crop plants, each of which has at least one desirable
quality, such as high yield or resistance to disease.
Cross breeding : Pollen grains of plants of one variety are dusted over the stigmas of plants of the
other variety and vice-versa. It produces a new variety which has good characteristics of both the
parents.

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Class IX : Biology

Table: Some hybrid seeds

Wheat Kalyan, sarbati sonara, sonalika
Maize Ganga, ambar, jawahar
Rice Jaya, padma, pusa basmati, IR8
Bajra HB-1, HB-3 and 4
Soyabean JS 335
Pea Bougainvilleae
Brinjal Pusa purple, Pusa Kranti
Cotton G-57, Bt (GM)
Hybridization may be of three types
(a) Intervarietal (between two different varieties of same species).
(b) Interspecific (between two different species of the same genera).
(c) Intergeneric (between two different genera).
(2) Alternative methods to develop new crop varieties are to use chemicals or radiation to cause
imprecise alterations to the plant’s genetic information. These cause random changes to the
DNA. In some cases, may be of agricultural benefit to the plant.
(3) Genetic modification, or plant transformation, is the newest method of crop improvement.
The plant in which the foreign gene has been introduced is called transgenic plant or genetically
modified plant.
For example – Bt cotton is a genetically modified crop which carries bacterial gene that protect the
crop plants from insects.
The various aspects for crop variety improvement carried out are as follows.
(1) Higher yield : To increase the productivity of crop per acre. The main aim of crop variety
improvement is to obtain higher yield e.g. grains, tubers. Such a variety is called HYV or high
yielding variety.
Need of higher crop yield : There is an urgent need to continuously increase crop yield because
of
(i) Rising human population.
(ii) Rising animal population.
(iii) Increasing realization about intake of proper diet.
(iv) Limited cropping area.
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

(2) Better quality : Quality consideration such as baking quality in wheat, protein quality
in pulses, oil quality in oil seeds and preserving quality in fruits and vegetables vary from
crop to crop.
(3) Biotic and abiotic resistance : Crop production can go down due to biotic (microbes,
insects, rodents) and abiotic stresses (Flood, drought, frost). Varieties resistant to these
stresses can improve crop production.
(4) Change in maturity duration : The shorter is the duration of crop from sowing to
harvesting, the more economical is the variety.
(i) It helps the farmers in raising multiple rounds of crops in a year from the same field.
(ii) Cost of production is reduced.

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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

(5) Wider adaptability : Developing varieties for wider adaptability will help in stabilizing
the crop production under different environmental conditions.
(6) Desirable agronomic characteristics : Developing varieties of desired agronomic
characters helps to give higher productivity. To achieve high productivity, the food crops
(cereals) should be dwarf (short height), so that they consume less nutrients, become
stronger and withstand strong winds (prevent lodging). The fodder crops should be tall and
should have profuse branching.

1. Increase in food grain is termed as :

(A) Blue revolution (B) White revolution (C) Green revolution (D) Yellow revolution

2. Food is required for :

(A) Energy (B) Growth (C) Regeneration (D) All the above

3. Applied biology which deals with the production of fruits and nuts known as
(A) Horticulture (B) Olericulture (C) Floriculture (D) Apiculture

4. Disease resistant crop is obtained by

(A) Crossing with new varieties (B) Crossing with wild varieties
(C) Injecting with organic compounds (D) None of the above

5. Cultivation practices and crop yield are related to Environmental conditions. Explain.

6. Group the following and tabulate them as energy yielding, protein yielding, oil yielding and fodder crop.
Peanut plant, mustard plant, berseem, rice plant.

7. What do we get from cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables?

8. What are the desirable agronomic characteristics for crop-improvement ?

9. What is hybridization?

10. Which type of hybridization is commonly used in plant breeding ?

PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

11. How do biotic and abiotic factors affect crop production ?

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Class IX : Biology

IMPROVEMENT IN FOOD RESOURCES

(IFR – 2)
5.0 CROP PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
For successful crop production thorough understanding of how crops develop and grow, the
various factors that affect crop growth and development and how each factor can be modified or
managed are essential. Plant responses to soil conditions and atmospheric environment must be
exploited to the maximum to produce a high yield per unit area of land. The production
practices include ‘‘no cost’’ production, ‘‘low cost’’ production and ‘‘high cost’’ production. The
following are some of the factors that if managed well will help in increasing crop production :
(a) Nutrient management, (b) Irrigation, (c) Cropping patterns
5.1 Nutrient Management
It is controlling the selection, timing and amount of nutrient supply to the crops. Plant nutrients
are inorganic raw materials that the plant absorb from their surroundings and utilize the same in
building up their organic matter.
There are 16 essential elements for growth and development of plants. They are classified into
two groups :
Macronutrients : The essential elements utilized by plants in relatively large quantities are called
major nutrients or macronutrients.
Micronutrients : The essential element utilized by plants in relatively small quantities or traces
are called micronutrients.
Table: Sources of Nutrients

S.No. Sources Nutrients Types

1. Air Carbon, Oxygen. Macro nutrients.

2. Water Hydrogen. Macro nutrients.

3. Soil Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Macro nutrients.

Potassium, Sulphur, Calcium,
Magnesium.
Iron, Manganese, Boron, Micro nutrients.
Zinc, Copper, Molybdenum,
Chlorine.
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

Manure
These are organic substances, obtained from the decomposition of plant and animal wastes.
Mineral replenishment to the soil is done through the addition of manures and fertilizers.
Advantages of manure
It increases the number of friendly microbes.
It improves the texture of soil by adding organic matter (humus).
It increases soil fertility, water holding capacity and aeration.
It reduces soil erosion.
It is cheap.

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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

Disadvantage of manure
They have less amount of nutrients as compared to fertilizers.
Manures are bulky and not easy to store and transport.
Types of manures
Compost- It is a type of manure which is produced from the plant and animal wastes by the
action of microbes.
Vermicompost- It is the type of manure which is produced by the degradation of organic wastes
through the consumption by the earthworms. This process is known as vermicomposting.
Green manure- It is also a type of organic manure, some quickly growing legume crops are
grown and then mulched by ploughing.
Eg. Cowpea, Lentil, Sun Hemp, Dhaincha.
Fertilizers : These are commercially manufactured inorganic salts containing one or more
essential plant nutrients like NPK, which are used to increase soil fertility.
Advantages of fertilizers
They are nutrient specific and required in small amounts.
They are water soluble and absorbed by the plant easily.
They are easy to store and transport.
Disadvantages of fertilizers
Fertilizers can change the soil structure by killing the soil microbes.
Fertilizers can change the chemical composition of soil.
Accumulation of fertilizers in water bodies causes eutrophication.
Organic Farming : It is a kind of farming system in which the harmful chemicals (fertilizers and
pesticides) are not used. In place of chemicals, the use of organic manures, biofertilizers and
biopesticides are recommended
Advantages of organic farming :
(i) No pollution (ii) Unpolluted foods
(iii) Maintain soil quality (iv) Controlling pests and weeds

5.2 Irrigation
The process of artificial supplying of water to crop at different intervals is called irrigation. The
time and frequency of irrigation varies from crop to crop, soil to soil and season to season.
Sources of irrigation : Well, tube well, ponds, lakes, river, canal and dams.
Irrigation systems in India
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

(i) Canal system : Canals receive water from the rivers. The main canals are divided into
branches which are further divided into distributaries to cover maximum areas for irrigation.
(ii) Tanks : Tanks are water storage reservoirs which store the run off water of small catchment
area.

Dug well – Water is lifted up by bullock.

(iii) Wells
Tube well – Water is pumped up by using
diesel or electric pumps.

Wells and tube wells are successful in those areas where underground water is not saline whereas
in those areas where underground water is saline, canal water is used for irrigation.
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Class IX : Biology

(iv) River valley syst em : Due to heavy rainfall, many river valley are found in Western Ghats
and Karnataka. This results in higher run off and discharge flows in the rivers. To prevent
this coffee, rubber, coconut are cultivated on the slopes of these valleys and single rice crop
is grown at bottom.
(v) River lift system : Water is directly drawn from the river using pumps.
Nowadays the following modern ways of irrigation are used.
(1) Sprinkler system
In this system the perpendicular pipes having rotating nozzles on top, are joined to main
pipe line at regular intervals.
It spreads water uniformly over crop plants and field.
This method is useful for sandy soil and uneven land.
It is an efficient system in the canal irrigated area of Haryana and Rajasthan.
(2) Drip system or trickle irrigation
It involves the use of pipes fitted with small tubes called emitters. The pipes are laid over or
under the soil and emitters release water drop by drop around the roots of the plants.
In this method water is not wasted at all.
This method is a boon in poor water regions.
This is the best irrigation technique for fruit crops, garden and trees.
Advantages of irrigation
Supply of essential elements– Supplies two essential elements to crops i.e. hydrogen and oxygen.
Germination of seeds–Moisture available in soil leads to germination of seeds.
Growth–Growth of roots occur inside the soil by availability of water in soil.
Absorption of nutrients–Water made available to field by the process of irrigation helps in absorption
of nutrients by plants from the soil.
Water augmentation
Water availability for irrigation can be assured by augmenting ground water. It is carried out by
two methods :-
(1) Rain water harvesting - The rain water is collected and used for recharging ground water by
sinking deep drain pipes. It can also be poured into wells or used for filling ponds in low level
area.
(2) Water shed management - Small check dams are built up in water shed areas to increase
percolation of water into ground, reduce flow of rain water and prevent soil erosion.
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

5.3 Cropping Patterns

Different ways of growing crops can be used to give maximum benefit.
There are models of raising crops which help in obtaining maximum benefit from the same
piece of land, reduce risk of crop failure, disease and infestation. Three common types of cropping
patterns are mixed cropping, intercropping and crop rotation.
(1) Mixed cropping
It is growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land. It is also known
as mixed cropping.
Some successful mixed cropping practices are :-
Soyabean + Pigeon pea, Maize + Urad dal (Black gram), Groundnut + Sunflower, Wheat
+ Mustard, Cotton + Groundnut.
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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

Advantages of mixed cropping

(i) No risk of complete crop failure.
(ii) Increase in yield : When cereal or non-leguminous crop is grown along with a
leguminous crop, the deficiency of nitrogen in the soil, caused by the growing of
cereal crop, is compensated by the enrichment of the soil with nitrogen compounds
by the growing of leguminous plants. So, it increases the yield.
(iii) Variety of Produce : We can harvest variety of produce like pulses, cereals, vegetables
or fodder.
(iv) Improvement in Soil Fertility : Growth of leguminous crops improve soil fertility
and reduce the requirement of fertilizers.
(v) Reduced Pest Infestation : The chances of pest infestation are reduced because
the pest of one crop rarely finds the same plant nearby.
Disadvantages of mixed cropping
Farmer faces difficulty in applying fertilizer and pesticides to individual crops.
Harvesting and threshing of crops separately is not easy because seeds of the two crops are mixed
and then sown (there is no set pattern of rows of crops).
(2) Inter-cropping
Intercropping is growing two or more crops simultaneously in different strips or rows in a
same field in definite row pattern. Row patterns like 1 : 1, 1 : 2 or 1 : 3 can be followed.
The crops selected for Intercropping have different nutrient requirements, different sowing
and harvesting dates.
e.g., Soyabean + Maize, Millet (bajra) + Cow Pea (lobia).
Advantages of intercropping
Productivity : Intercropping increases productivity per unit area.
Sowing : Seeds of different crops can be sown separately.
No mixing : There is no mixing of crops.
Fertilizers : Specific fertilizers required for each crop can be added.
Pesticides : Pesticide and weedicide required for each crop can be applied.
Harvesting : Each crop can be harvested, threshed and marketed separately.

Table : Differences between mixed cropping and intercropping

Mixed cropping Intercropping
Seeds of different crops are not mixed. They are
Seeds of different crops are mixed before sowing.
sown separately.
The different crops are sown in separate rows or
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

There is no pattern of sowing.

strips.
It minimises the risk of crop failure. It increases crop productivity per unit area.
Only a common type of fertilizer can be added Specific fertilizers can be provided to each crop.
Crop specific pesticides can be sprayed without
Crop specific pesticides cannot be sprayed.
difficulty.
Harvesting of early maturing crop provides a lot There is less difficulty in harvesting individual
of difficulty. crops.
There is some mixing of the products of different
There is no mixing of products of different crops.
crops.
Lesser inputs of irrigation and nutrients are
Requirement of inputs is comparatively more.
required.
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Class IX : Biology
(3) Crop rotation
It is the successive planting of different type of crops on the same land in a sequential manner.
A common crop rotation is growing of leguminous plants like peas, pulses, beans etc alternately
with cereal crops like rice, wheat and maize.
Sequence of crop rotation
In this practice, crops are grown in a planned sequence from season to season within a year
or from year to year. This planned rotation of crops sequence could be :
(i) Two crops in two different season within a year-pearl millet followed by chick pea.
(ii) Rotation of Crop for a two year period - pearl millet and ground nut.
(iii) Rotation of Crop for a three year period - pearl millet, ground nut and sorghum.
Advantages of crop rotation
Prevents the depletion of soil nutrients.
Controls insect, mites and pest.
Reduces reliance on agricultural chemicals.
Prevents diseases and helps control weeds.
Mixed farming - The raising of different types of crops and animals on the same farm. It ensures
good returns to the farmers and provides easy availability of various articles.

Objective Questions
1. A pulse crop is grown in the time interval between two cereal crops to compensate for the :
(A) Loss of phosphate (B) Loss of water (C) Loss of sulphur (D) Loss of nitrogen

2. The technique of growing two or more different crops together in the same field in definite row
pattern is known as :
(A) Mixed cropping (B) Mixed farming (C) Inter cropping (D) Crop rotation

3. Rhizobium is present in :
(A) Soil (B) Root Nodules of legumes
(C) Stem nodules (D) Tumour on leaf

4. Target of mixed cropping is :

(A) To minimize loss of crop (B) To increase productivity per unit area
(C) To increase the production of cereal crops (D) Both (A) and (B)

5. When different types of crops are grown alternatively in the same field it is:
(A) Mixed cropping (B) Inter cropping (C) Crop rotation (D) Jhooming cultivation
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

Subjective Questions
6. What are alternative methods used by farmers to increase soil fertility?
7. How do plants get nutrients ?
8. Why are earthworms known as farmer's friend ?
9. What are the limitations related to the production of high yielding varieties of crops ?
10. Name one crop which can tolerate water logging in the field.
11. Name three most important mineral elements required for plant growth.
12. What are macro-nutrients and why are they called macro-nutrient ?
13. Compare the use of manure and fertilizers in maintaining soil fertility.

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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

IMPROVEMENT IN FOOD RESOURCES

(IFR – 3)

6.0 CROP PROTECTION MANAGEMENT

In fields, crops have to be protected from weeds, insects-pests and disease-causing organisms like
fungi.
All these cause damage to crop plants so much that most of the crop is lost. Thus, crops can be
protected by the following methods :
Use of pesticides.
Use of resistant varieties.
Crop rotation
Summer ploughing.
6.1 Pests
Any destructive organism that causes great economic damage or destroying crop plants are
called pests.
Examples : Weeds, insects, mites, nematodes.

Fig. 1 Pest Affecting Crops

6.2 Pesticides / Biocides
It refers to a chemical that is used to kill a pest organism which includes insecticides (for killing
the insects), weedicides (for killing the weeds), fungicides (for killing the fungi), nematicides (for
killing nematodes) and rodenticides (for killing rodents).

Table : Type of pesticides

PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

S.No. Pesticide Affected organism Example

2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, Triazine, Nitrofen, Atrazine,
1 Weedicide Weeds
Butachlor, Isoproturon, MCPA.
2 Insecticide Insect DDT, Aldrin, Malathion .
3 Fungicide Fungal pathogen Bordeaux mixture, Burgandy mixture, HgCl2.
4 Algicide Algal pathogen CuSO4.
5 Rodenticide Rodents (rat, moles) Zinc phosphide, ZnSO 4.
6 Nematicide Nematode Chloropicrin, Methyl bromide.

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Class IX : Biology

Advantages of pesticides
They kill pest quickly, increase food production and are easy to store.
Disadvantages of using pesticides
They cause soil and water pollution.
Residue left on the fruits & seeds is harmful for human consumption.
They destroy even the useful insects.
Preventive measures avoiding use of pesticides
Crop rotation, multiple cropping and field fallow.
Sowing healthy seeds and summer ploughing.
Use of pest and disease resistant hybrid varieties of crop plant.
Field also need to be protected against grazing animals by raising wire fences and boundary wall.
Birds are scared away by raising scarecrows and beating of drums.

6.3 Weeds
They are the small-sized unwanted plants which grow along with a cultivated crop in a field. Weeds
are economically very important as they can severely reduce crop yields by competing for light,
water and nutrients.
Some common weeds : Xanthium (Gokhroo), Parthenium (Gajar grass), Convolvulus, Cyprinus
rotundus (Motha), Amaranthus (Chaulai), Chenopodium (bathua).
Method of weed control
Mechanical method : Uprooting, ploughing, burning.
Biological method : Use of insects or some organisms which consume and destroy the weed
plants.
e.g. Prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia) is controlled by Cochineal insect and aquatic weeds (Hydrilla)
are controlled by Carps fish.
Chemical control : Spraying of chemicals like herbicides or weedicides.
e.g. Isoproturon, 2,4-D, MCPA, Atrazine.

6.4 Crop Diseases

When the pathogens such as bacteria, fungi and viruses get favorable conditions for growth and
propagation, they spread and infect the crop plants causing crop diseases. Their pathogens can be
present in and transmitted through the soil water and air.
Control of diseases
The methods of controlling diseases are
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

(a) Seed borne diseases can be prevented by sowing healthy seeds and pretreating seeds with
chemicals to kill pathogens.
(b) Soil-borne diseases can be prevented by using soil disinfectants and by crop rotation.
(c) Air-borne diseases can be prevented by spraying specific chemicals, like insecticides, fungicides,
antibiotics etc.
(d) The breeding of disease resistant crops is a very important method to bring about control of
crop diseases.

7.0 STORAGE OF GRAINS

About 9.3% of the food grains produced in our country are lost every year due to improper methods
of storage and inadequate storage.
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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

Factors affecting stored food

(i) Biotic factors : e.g. insects, microorganisms, mites, birds, rodents and other animals.
(ii) Abiotic factors : e.g. moisture, humidity and temperature.
Non perishable food materials are stored on a commercial scale in gunny bags or in grain silos.
Pesticides are applied on the stored food grains either by spraying or by fumigants.
(i) Spraying : Malathion and pyrethrum are commonly used by spraying.
(ii) Fumigants : Volatile pesticides are called fumigants.
Ethylene dibromide (EDB), aluminium phosphide, Celphos, CH3Br, Zinc phosphide.
8.0 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
The scientific management of livestock which deals with the feeding, caring and breeding of
domesticated animals is called animal husbandry.
The farming of animals also need planning to meet their basic requirement to maintain health and
control the diseases. However, expanding population and scaling demands have resulted in the
limitation in livestock breeding. Therefore there is a need to improve animal husbandry these
techniques which could ensure sustained supply of animals.
Table: Nutritional Values of Animal Products
Percent (%) Nutrients
Animal Products
Fat Protein Sugar Minerals Water Vitamin
Milk (Cow) 3.6 4 4.5 0.7 87.2 B1 B2 B12 D,E
Egg 12 13 Traces 1 74 B2 ,D
Meat 3.6 21.1 Traces 1.1 74.2 B2 B12
Fish 2.5 19 Traces 1.3 77.2 Niacin, D, A
8.1 Cattle Farming
Cattle husbandry or cattle farming is carried out primarily for two reasons:
milk production by milch animals and for agricultural work, such as ploughing, tilling, irrigation
etc, by draught animals. However, they are also domesticated for leather production and meat
yield. Indian cattle mainly include cows (Bos indicus) and buffaloes (Bos bubalis).
Cows are adapted to drier regions of the country, while buffaloes are well adapted to wet areas
and river beds.
Milk is highly nutritious as it contains all major nutrients, i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals
and vitamins. Most of the milk is obtained from cows and buffaloes. The total milk produced by
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buffaloes is much higher and rich in nutrients than that produced by cows. Milk production besides
other factors, also depends upon the duration of lactation period, i.e. the period of milk production
after the birth of calf. Therefore, the milk production can be increased by increasing the lactation
period.
Breeds in cattle
There are many popular breeds of cows and buffaloes in our country. They can be broadly divided
into three categories: Indigenous breeds (desi breeds - they are native to India) : Eg. Red Sindhi
and Sahiwal (show excellent resistance to diseases). Foreign or Exotic Breeds : Eg. Jersey,
Brown Swiss (Have a long lactation period). Cross Breeds: The breeds chosen for cross breeding
have a set of favourable characters that may become a part of the animal that is born as a result
of cross breeding, Eg. Karan fries.
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Class IX : Biology

Farm management practices

Farm management practices are aimed for farming of animals that include the health of the animals
as well as production of clean milk. It has four components.
(A) Grooming (B) Shelter (C) Feeding (D) Health care
(A) Grooming of cattle
(i) Cattles must be regularly groomed.
(ii) Removing dirt, loose hair and external parasite.
(iii) Washing of animals is carried out to further clean them, as clean animal provide clean milk.
(B) Shelter for cattle
(i) Providing suitable shelter to cattle is an important part of animal husbandry.
(ii) Cattle shelters are well demarcated, partially or completely covered areas where animals
can live comfortably and are protected from predators as well as natural factors (heat, cold,
rain etc.)
Characteristics of good animal shelter
(i) It should be spacious.
(ii) The shelter should be clean, dry, airy and well ventilated.
(iii) There should be proper arrangement for the hygienic disposal of animal waste.
(iv) It should have arrangement of fresh, clean drinking water.
(C) Feeding of cattle
The "Food" that contains essential components needed for the growth, development and general
maintenance of body of domesticated animal is called feed.
The feed requirement of an animal depends upon age, growth, pregnancy, lactation, nature
of work and state of health.
Feeding management
The cattle require two kinds of food during breeding :
(i) Maintenance requirement : It contains all the nutrients for the maintenance of health of
cattle. It enables the animals to perform all the basic functions of life, provides strength and
makes them resistance to diseases.
(ii) Milk producing requirement : It contain the specific nutrients required during lactation
period. It thus increases the duration of lactation period and increases the milk yield. These
food requirement are fulfilled with a specific diet containing the following components.
Roughage : Fibre – rich food, such as hay, green fodder, silage and legumes, eg., cowpea,
berseem, Lucerne.
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Concentrates : nutrients – rich food but low in fibres. It contains carbohydrates, vitamins
and especially high amount of proteins. Eg. Maize, oats, barley, jowar, gram and their by products
such as wheat bran, rice bran, gram husk, oil seed cakes, molasses.
Feed additives : These are micro nutrients, hormones etc, that promote health and milk output
of dairy animals.
Disease management
A healthy animal feeds regularly and has a normal posture. For prevention against viral and
bacterial diseases vaccinations must be given to farm animals.
Parasites of Cattle
External parasites - live on skin and cause skin diseases.

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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

Internal Parasites - Eg. Worms and flukes. Worms affect stomach and intestine, while flukes
infect and damage the liver.
Infectious Diseases - They can spread to other animals on the farm and, can sometimes
infect humans too. These diseases can be bacterial (Anthrax, Tuberculosis) or viral (cow pox,
foot and mouth disease).

Objective Questions
1. The most common weed is :
(A) Amaranthus (B) Sun Hemp (C) Doob grass (D) Khuri

2. 2, 4–D is used :
(A) For higher yield (B) As weedicide (C) As insecticide (D) None

3. Abiotic factor affecting stored seeds is :

(A) Rodent (B) Bird (C) Temperature (D) None

4. Milk does not provide :

(A) Vitamin A and D (B) Minerals like phosphorus and calcium
(C) Iron (D) Carbohydrates, proteins and fats

Subjective Questions
5. How do insect pests attack the crops ?

6. Which method is commonly used for improving the cattle breeds and why?
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15
Class IX : Biology

IMPROVEMENT IN FOOD RESOURCES

(IFR – 4)
8.2 Poultry
Poultry (poult = chicken) is the breeding of fowls for egg production and meat which are supposed
to be the best sources of proteins and fats.
Poultry is the most efficient converter of low fibre food stuff which is unfit for human (consumption)
into highly nutritious animal protein food.
Along with fowl, now a days, other birds such as ducks, geese, pigeons, turkeys etc., are also reared
for increased production of eggs and meat. The birds reared for egg production are called layers
while those for meat purpose are known as broilers.
Breeds of hen
Indigenous breeds (desi breeds - they are native to India) : Eg. Aseel, Bursa (show excellent
resistance to diseases)
Foreign or Exotic breeds : (lay more number of eggs than indigenous breeds and also give
more meat) Eg. White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red.

Light Sussex
White Leghorn

Barred Plymouth
Black Minorcha
Rhode Island Red
Some exotic breeds of fowl.

Fig. 2 Poultry breeds

Cross breeds
The desirable traits which can be achieved by cross breeding are as :
(i) Increased fertility and fecundity (egg laying capacity) of the fowl.
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(ii) Large - sized eggs.

(iii) Increased meat yield.
(iv) Low maintenance requirements.
(v) Less diet requirements.
(vi) Rise in number and quality of chicks.
(vii) Increase in tolerance to high temperature or summer adaptation capacity.
(viii) Reduced size of layers with ability to utilize more fibrous and cheaper diets made by using
agricultural by products.
Production of layers and broilers
The production of layers and broilers requires special care for nutrition, shelter and disease control.
The management and care differs in different phases of their lives.
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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

Layers
Egg production is the most efficient economic aspect of poultry. Hens (female fowls) raised for egg
production are called layers.
During growing period, they require sufficient space to avoid overcrowding enabling proper
growth. During egg laying period, they need enough space and light which increases the fertility.
Broilers
Broilers are quick growing table birds which are raised for about 7-8 weeks to attain proper weight.
When the chickens are grown as broilers, their housing, nutritional and environmental needs become
different from that of the layers. At this time, they are provided with the conditions which are
favourable for their rapid growth and low mortality. The food provided to them should be protein
- rich with adequate amount of fats and high amount of vitamin A and K.
Poultry care
To produce good quality birds, good management practices are required which are different for
broilers and layers. These include :
(i) Poultry feed
(ii) Hygienic condition in housing.
(iii) Maintenance of temperature
(iv) Prevention and control of disease, as well as pests.
Disease management
Poultry birds suffer from a number of viral, fungal and bacterial diseases. The birds may also be
affected by parasites and nutritional deficiencies. The birds can be protected from various diseases
by adopting the following measures :
(i) Proper cleaning and sanitation of their living area.
(ii) Spraying of disinfectants at regular intervals.
(iii) Shelter should be cleaned properly and regularly. For prevention against viral and bacterial
diseases.
(iv) Every animal should be vaccinated to immunize it against common infectious diseases.
8.3 Pisciculture
Fish are the cheap and excellent sources of animal protein. A large section of the Indian population
uses fish as food particularly the one living in coastal areas. It is highly nutritious and easily digestible.
Fish can be employed for eradicating problem of malnutrition. Fish liver oil is rich in vitamin A
and D.
Fisheries
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Fisheries are establishments connected with capture, prevention, exploitation of various types of
fish, prawn, lobsters, oysters etc. Depending upon the mode of obtaining fish, fisheries are of two
types
(a) Capture fishery
The fish is caught from natural waters, both marine and inland. Modern technology is used
in capturing of fishes.
(b) Culture fishery/fish farming/ Pisciculture
It is cultivating, rearing and harvesting of fishes.
Marine fisheries
They are fish catching areas in sea. It is of three types coastal, off shore and deep sea.

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Class IX : Biology

India has an extensive coastline and an exclusive sea zone beyond it.
Popular marine fish : Pomphret, Mackerel, Tuna, Sardines and Bombay duck. These fishes are
captured from coastal areas.
Popular fresh water fish : Cat fish, such as wallago, mystus etc. Indian major carps such as Catla,
Rohu, Mrigal (Cirrhina).
Exotic varieties such as Silver carp and Grass carp.
Marine fishes are caught using fishing nets from boats and large trawlers. Yields are further increased
by locating large schools of fish using satellites and eco-sounders. Mechanized fishing boats are
also introduced for fishing.
Mariculture
To fulfill the demands of growing population and to sustain the number of fish in marine water,
mariculture is practiced. Some marine fish of high economic value are also farmed in sea water.
This includes mullets, bhetki, pearl spots, shellfish such as Macrobrachium rosenbergii (fresh water
prawn), Peneaus monodon(marine water prawn), mussels, oysters and even sea-weed. Oysters
not only provide food but pearls too.
Mariculture is growing rapidly as the demand for fish is increasing while the stock is declining due
to excessive exploitation from sea.
Inland fisheries
India has a large number of inland water resources, eg. Rivers, ponds and lakes. The mangrove
wetlands, brackish water areas in lagoons and estuaries also constitute large Inland water reservoir.
Capture fisheries are poor in Inland waters. Therefore, major fish production from Inland water
is carried out through culture called aquaculture.
Fish culture is sometimes carried out in paddy fields. These fish are grown in shallow waters of
the paddy fields and can tolerate high temperature and turbidity.
Culture fishery depends upon :
(i) Location of pond (ii) Water resource and quality (iii) Nutrients.

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Fig. 3 Types of fishes in composite culture.

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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

Fish culture is of different types

Monoculture : Single species of fish is grown.
Polyculture : Two or more than two fishes grown together.
Composite Fish Culture : Composite fish culture is an intensive fish farming system, where
fishes of different species differing in feeding habit and habitats are stocked and cultured in the
same pond. It is known as polyculture and mixed fish farming. These cultures leads to the efficient
utilization of food present in the pond and thus, increase the yield. Both local and imported fishes
are used in such cultures.
The combination of six species is used in this culture system. Out of the six species, three are of
Indian origin (Catla, Rohu, Mrigal) and three are exotic (from China). The exotic species are silver
carp, grass carp and common carp. This combination is highly advantageous because :
1. These fishes do not compete for food because they have different types of food habits.
2. The food available in all the zones (parts) of the pond is utilized due to their food habits. For
example, catla is surface feeder, rohu feeds in middle zone of the pond (column feeder) and
mrigal and common carp feed at the bottom. Grass carp feeds on aquatic weeds.
The advantage of composite fish culture over single species culture are as follows
(i) All available microhabitats (living areas) are fully utilized, as each species occupy different
habitat.
(ii) The different species of fishes do not harm each other. Instead, they can have beneficial effects
on each other.
(iii) Different species have different food habits and thus, do not compete for food.
(iv) Composite culture yield variety of fishes and also more in number as compare to the single
species culture.
When all the above species are stocked together in a pond, each one occupies its own niche (living
area) and feeds upon food different from each other. It increases the yield of all species of fishes.
One problem associated with such composite culture is that many of these fishes breed only during
monsoon season. Therefore, good quality seeds (Fish seed is fish eggs) of these fishes may not be
available or get mixed with that of other species, if collected from wild. This problem can be solved
by breeding of these fishes by hormonal stimulation.
This technique supplies pure and good quality fish seeds in desirable quantities for the culture.
8.4 Apiculture
Bee keeping is the rearing and management of honey bees for obtaining honey, wax and other
substance.
Honey is an economically important product obtained from the honeybees. It is widely used hence,
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bee-keeping is practiced at a large scale. Bee-keeping requires very low investments making it an
additional income generation activity. Further, this practice is a source of bees-wax which is used
in different medicines and cosmetics. Bee-keeping is one of the oldest agricultural pursuits of man.
Honey is mentioned as a medicine in ancient Indian literature. Now, honeybees have reached the
highest degree of domestication. The modern scientific method for the production of honey and
beeswax is known as apiculture. The honeybees used for apiculture are
Common species of honey bee
1. Apis cerana indica (Indian bee)
2. Apis dorsata (Giant bee or rock bee)
3. Apis florae (little bee)
4. Apis mellifera (European and Italian bee)

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Class IX : Biology

5. Apis adamsoni (African bee)

A. mellifera is more preferred bee as it produces 50-200 kg of honey per hive per year while A.
cerana indica produces only 4.5-5.0 kg of honey. They also breed very well, lives in the hive for
a long duration and sting less. Earlier, the honey was collected by killing the resting bees or making
them leave the hive by using flames. The combs were gathered, cut and squeezed to extract honey.
However, this method is crude and does not produce pure honey. This honey contains dirt, parts
of bee's body, waxy material, etc. therefore, it has been replaced by better scientific methods.
Nowadays, honey bees are reared in artificial hives.
This hive is made of wood and has large chamber. This artificial and movable hive is known as
apiary. The chambers are partitioned with wax sheets to attract bees. During extraction of honey,
comb sheets are taken out and kept in honey extractor. It throws out honey by centrifugal force
without damaging the comb yielding large amount of honey. The quality and taste of honey depends
upon the flower visited by them. This in turn depends on Pasturage.
Pasturage- Is the vegetation cover in a particular area. It determines the type and number of flowers
available to the bees for collection of nectar and pollen.

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Fig. 4 Apiary

20
 Improvement in Foo d Resources

Objective Questions
1. The broiler chicken are given :
(A) More food to lay more eggs (B) More food to gain weight
(C) Less food (D) Less care

2. An advantage of induced breeding in fishes is to :

(A) Have more seeds (B) Have more fish
(C) Earn more money (D) Have all of the above
3. Catla and rohu are examples of :
(A) Marine fish (B) Freshwater fish (C) Brackish water fish (D) None of these

4. Which of the following is the fastest growing carp :

(A) Catla (B) Rohu (C) Singhara (D) None

5. Which of the following is grown in freshwater ?

(A) Tuna (B) Carp (C) Sardine (D) Pomphret

6. Which of the following statement is incorrect about honeybees :

(A) Queenbee is the largest in size (B) Worker bees outnumber the other
(C) Drones keep the hive clean (D) They have sense of direction

Subjective Questions
7. What would happen if layers are larger in size and have no summer adaptation capacity ? In order
to get small sized poultry birds having summer adaptability, what method should be employed ?

8. Discuss the implications of the following statement "It is interesting to note that poultry is India's most
efficient converter of low fibre food stuff (which is unfit for human consumption) into highly nutritious
animal protein food.

9. What is the difference between broilers and layers and in their management ?
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

10. What management practices are common in dairy and poultry farming ?

11. What are the advantages of composite fish culture ?

12. How are fishes obtained ?

13. What are the desirable characters of bee varieties suitable for bee keeping?

14. What is pasturage and how it is related to honey production?

21
Class IX : Biology

1. The science of improving crop varieties is called

(A) hybridization (B) selection (C) plant breeding (D) introduction
2. By which of the following methods, new and better varieties of plants can be formed?
(A) Selection (B) Grafting
(C) Hybridization (D) Hybridization followed by selection
3. Science of altering the genetic pattern of plants in order to increase their value and utility for human
welfare is called–
(A) Plant breeding (B) Agriculture (C) Genetics (D) All of these
4. High-yielding varieties of wheat were initially developed by an Indian scientist by cross-breeding
the traditional varieties with–
(A) American varieties (B) Mexican varieties (C) European varieties (D) African varieties
5. Emasculation is related to–
(A) Pureline (B) Mass selection (C) Clonal selection (D) Hybridisation
6. The quickest method of plant breeding is–
(A) Introduction (B) Selection (C) Hybridisation (D) Mutation breeding
7. 2, 4-D is used :
(A) As weedicide (B) For higher yield (C) As insecticide (D) None
8. When differnt types of crops are grown alternatively in the same field it is :
(A) Mixed cropping (B) Inter cropping
(C) Jhooming cultivation (D) Crop rotation
9. Sonalika and Kalyan Sona are the varieties of–
(A) Wheat (B) Rice (C) Millet (D) Tobacco
10. Father of green revolution in India is
(A) M.S. Swaminathan (B) N. Borlaug
(C) R. Mishra (D) P. Maheswari
11. Mule is produced by–
(A) Inbreeding (B) Artificial insemination
(C) Interspecific hybridisation (D) Intraspecific hybridisation
12. Plant breeding aims to produce
(A) disease-free varieties (B) high-yielding varieties
(C) early-maturing varieties (D) all the above
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

13. The process of preparing manure with the help of earthworms and kitchen wastes is called
(A) green manuring (B) manuring
(C) vermicomposting (D) farming
14. The minerals required by a plant in very small quantities are called
(A) macronutrients (B) micronutrients (C) manures (D) fertilizers
15. The increase in foodgrain production after the introduction of improved varieties of crops is often
referred as
(A) White Revolution (B) Green Revolution
(C) Yellow Revolution (D) Blue Revolution

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 Improvement in Foo d Resources
16. Materials of biological origin which are commonly used to maintain and improve soil fertility are
(A) Green manures (B) Biofertilizers
(C) Bioinsecticides (D) Both (A) and (B)
17. The pesticides need to be replaced because these
(A) Are very costly (B) Cannot be stored for a long time
(C) Are mostly toxic and non-biodegradable (D) Cause abnormalities in the target population
18. DDT is
(A) A non-biodegradable pollutant (B) A biodegradable pollutant
(C) An antibiotic (D) Not a pollutant
19. Cattle feed should contain
(A) Concentrate (B) Roughage (C) Both (A) & (B) (D) None of these
20. Which one of the following yields maximum milk / year :
(A) Holstein-friesian (B) Frieswal (C) Sahiwal (D) Red Sindhi
21. Dry and cold storage are methods to :
(A) Prevents spoilage of food (B) Prevents wastage of food
(C) Grow bacteria-resistant food (D) None of these
22. Which of the following is not an exotic breed of cow :
(A) Jersey (B) Holstein-friesian (C) Sahiwal (D) Brown Swiss
23. Broilers are maintained for getting
(A) Milk (B) Egg (C) Meat (D) Leather
24. Which one of the following is the indigenous breed of chickens
(A) Plymouth rock (B) White leghorn (C) Aseel (D) Rhode island red
25. Rearing and breeding of fish in pond, tanks and artificial reservoirs is called
(A) Aquaculture (B) Fishing (C) Pisciculture (D) Apiculture
26. Catla and Rohu are the examples of
(A) Exotic fresh water fishes (B) Indigenous fresh water fishes
(C) Indigenous marine water fishes (D) Exotic marine water fishes
27. Plants providing nectar and pollens to the honey bee collectively called
(A) Swarm (B) Bee fauna (C) Apiary (D) Pasturage
28. Exotic breed of honey bee is
(A) Apis dorsata (B) Apis indica (C) Apis florae (D) Apis mellifera
29. Males of honey bee colony are called
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

(A) Drone (B) Workers (C) Soldiers (D) All of the above
30. Match the following columns–
Column I Column II
a. Apiculture (i) Honey bee
b. Pisciculture (ii) Fish
c. Green revolution (iii) Agriculture
d. White revolution (iv) Milk
A B C D
(A) (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
(B) (ii) (iii) (iv) (i)
(C) (iii) (iv) (i) (ii)
(D) (i) (iv) (ii) (iii)

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Class IX : Biology

1. The practice of mulching specially grown sun hemp or guar by ploughing them into the soil helps in
(A) increasing water holding capacity
(B) increasing the quantity of earthworms
(C) enriching the soil in nitrogen and phosphorus
(D) None of these

2. Opuntia weed can be eradicated by :

(A) Gambusia (B) Cochineal insect (C) Grass carp (D) Both (A) & (B)

3. Heat production in damp grain storage occurs due to

(A) Infestation by insects (B) Decrease in atmospheric pressure
(C) Decrease in humidity (D) High moisture content and growth of moulds

4. Fumigants are used for

(A) Preserving food materials (B) Killing insects harming food grains
(C) Increasing nutrients of plants (D) Preserving dairy products

5. Malathion is used as
(A) Fungicide (B) Insecticide (C) Weedicide (D) Biocide

6. Tick the viral disease of cattle

(A) Foot and mouth disease (B) Anthrax
(C) Aspergillosis (D) T.B.

7. The food provided to broilers should be rich in

(A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin K (C) Protein (D) All of the above

8. The viral disease – Ranikhet is associated with

(A) Cattle (B) Poultry (C) Fishes (D) Bees

9. Which one of the following is a true fish

(A) Fin fish (B) Jelly fish (C) Star fish (D) Shell fish

10. “Drones” in the honeybee colony are born out from :

(A) Unfertilized eggs (B) Fertilized eggs and well nourished larvae
(C) Same as worker bee (D) Fertilized eggs by giving heat treatment

11. Which of the following is known as Rock bee :

(A) Apis indica (B) Apis dorsata (C) Apis florae (D) None
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

12. Which of the following is known as Italian bee ?

(A) Apis dorsata (B) Apis indica (C) Apis florae (D) Apis mellifera

13. Which caste is maximum in number in bee hive ?

(A) Queen (B) Worker (C) Drone (D) None

14. Why are honeybees so important ?

(A) They are excellent pollinators (B) They show a high degree of social life
(C) They have a stinger (D) They produce beeswax

15. Main sugar present in the honey is

(A) Maltose (B) Fructose (C) Dextrose (D) Ribose
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 Improvement in Foo d Resources

Very short answer type questions

1. From where do the plants get carbon, oxygen and hydrogen ?

2. Which crop is generally grown between two cereal crops to restore the fertility of soil ?

3. Name any two exotic breeds of poultry.

4. What are milch animals?

5. In what respect does the roughage differ from concentrates with reference to cattle feed?

6. Name the products obtained from honeybees.

Short answer type questions

7. What are macro-nutrients and why are they so called?

8. Why should preventive measures and biological control methods be preferred for protecting crops?

9. What factors may be responsible for loss of grains during storage?

10. Write two advantages of using chemical fertilisers over manure.

11. Why do we irrigate our crops?

12. How do moisture and temperature affect the life of food materials ?

13. What are the basic objectives of mixed cropping?

14. What are the characteristics of good animal shelter?

15. Name three Indian major carps commonly used in composite fish culture.

16. What are important points to remember in poultry farming ?

Long answer type questions

17. Explain any one method of crop production which ensures high yields.

18. What are the advantages of intercropping and crop rotation?

19. What is genetic manipulation? How is it useful in agricultural practices?

PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

20. What are the various ways of controlling weeds?

21. Explain how excessive use of nitrate fertilisers in agricultural fields affect human life.

22. Write down differences between : –

(a) Layers and broilers. (b) Milch animals and draught animals.
(c) Capture fishing and culture fishing. (d) Roughage and concentrate.

23. What are the benefits of cattle farming?

24. For increasing production, what is common in poultry, fisheries and bee-keeping?

25. How will you differentiate between capture fishing, mariculture and aquaculture?
25
Class IX : Biology

COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT

1. Examine the following statements: (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2007)

1. The silk moth produces silk when it is in the larval stage.
2. Fish liver oil is a rich source of Vitamin A.
3. Earthworms aerate the soil and enrich it
4. Pashmina shawls are prepared from the hair of a particular variety of Indian goat.
Which one of the following alternatives is correct?
(A) (1), (2) and (3) are true but (4) is false
(B) Only (1) and (2) are true but (3) and (4) are false
(C) Only (1) and (4) are true but (2) and (3) are false
(D) (1), (2) (3) and (4) are true

2. Which of the following statements is wrong? (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2007)

(A) Quinine, a malarial drug is obtained from the plant cinchona
(B) Pulses are rich sources of starch and minerals
(C) Sunflower is a good source of vegetable oil
(D) Green vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals

3. Wool yielding animals bear thick coat of hair because : (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2008)

(A) The animals carry a lot of hair follicles on body only
(B) It protects them from the predators
(C) Hairs trap a lot of air which is a poor conductor of heat
(D) The animals can sleep happily on the rough surfaces

4. Ecological importance of earthworm is that (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2008)

(a) It damges root of plant
(b) It takes organic matter from soil surface deeper into soil for absorption by plants.
(c) It's castings are rich in organic matter
(d) It serves as food for protozoa
Which of the following combinations are correct:
(A) (a) and (c) (B) (b) and (c) (C) (a) and (b) (D) (a), (b) and (d)

5. Which of the following does not yield wool (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2012)

(A) Dog (B) Yalk (C) Camel (D) Goat

6. White revolution is related to the increase in production of: (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2012)

(A) Egg (B) Milk (C) Meat (D) Wool
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

7. Which of the following is not a foreign breed of cow? [NTSE -1/Chan./2013]

(A) Sahiwal (B) Holstein (C) Brown swiss (D) Jersey

8. Three crops that contribute maximum to global foodgrain production are (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2014)
(A) Wheat, Rice and Maize (B) Wheat, Rice and Barley
(C) Wheat, Maize and Sorghum (D) Rice, Maize and Sorghum

9. Which of the following organisms is used as a biopesticide ? [NTSE Stage-2/2017]

(A) Azolla (B) Anabaena (C) Rhizobium (D) Trichoderma

10. To meet the increasing demand for food, there have been several 'revolutions'. Which of the following
revolutions is likely to have contributed most to global warming? (NSEJS /2017)
(A) Green (B) White (C) Blue (D) Silver

26
 Improvement in Foo d Resources

11. Honeybee culture is known as (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2018)

(A) Silviculture (B) Apiculture (C) Sericulture (D) Pisciculture.

12. The genetically modified (GM) brinjal in India has been developed for: (NSEJS /2018)
(A) Enhancing shelf life (B) Insect-resistance
(C) Drought-resistance (D) Enhancing mineral content

ANSWERS
CHECK POST-1
1. (C) 2. (D) 3. (A) 4. (B)

CHECK POST-2
1. (D) 2. (C) 3. (B) 4. (D) 5. (C)

CHECK POST-3
1. (A) 2. (B) 3. (C) 4. (C)

CHECK POST-4
1. (B) 2. (D) 3. (B) 4. (A) 5. (B) 6. (C)

EXERCISE-1 (ELEMENTARY)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Ans. C D A B D C A D A A C D C B B D C A C A
Que. 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans. A C C C C B D D A A

EXERCISE-2 (SEASONED)
PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. C B D B B A D B A A B D B A B

EXERCISE-4 (COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Ans. D B C B A B A A D B B B

*****
27
28
Class IX : Biology

IMPORTANT NOTES

PN & CF 2019-20\Biology\IX\MODULE\Unit-2\1-Improvement in food resources

 Chapter

2
Why Do We Fall Ill
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 BASIC CONDITIONS FOR GOOD HEALTH
3.0 DISEASE
4.0 DISEASES AND THEIR CAUSES
4.1 Intrinsic or Internal Factors
4.2 Extrinsic or External Factors
5.0 TYPES OF DISEASES

5.1 Congenital Diseases

5.2 Acquired Diseases

6.0 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

7.0 INFECTIOUS AGENTS AND SOME DISEASES CAUSED BY THEM

8.0 MEANS OF SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

9.0 ORGAN SPECIFIC AND TISSUE SPECIFIC MANIFESTATIONS

10.0 COMMON EFFECTS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
11.0 PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT
11.1 To reduce / Stop the Effect of Disease
11.2 To Kill the Infectious Agent or the Cause of Disease

12.0 PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Unit t w o

12.1 General Methods

12.2 Specific Methods
EXERCISE 1 (ELEMENTARY)

EXERCISE 2 (SEASONED)

EXERCISE 3 (CBSE PATTERN)

EXERCISE 4 (COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT)

K;JAKLFJ KL SFJ KL
 Why do we fa ll ill

WHY DO WE FALL ILL (WDWFI)

(WDWFI–1)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The World Health Organization [W.H.O.] gave the following definition of health in 1948. Health
is state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity.
In 1978 this definition was updated by including- the ability to lead a "Socially and economically
productive life".
Personal health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Community
health comprises of maintaining, improving and protecting the health of entire community. Social
health means a man having good job, a good house, a happy family, good neighbours and
understanding friends.

2.0 BASIC CONDITIONS FOR GOOD HEALTH

Good health may mean different things to different people. For example to a coal miner it means
being fit enough to do hard physical labour, and to office worker it may mean having the mental
alertness to deal with people, taking decisions etc.
The basic conditions that help in maintaining an individual and community health
are :
(i) Balanced diet.
(ii) Maintaining proper hygienic and sanitary conditions of the environment.
(iii) Providing good socio-economic conditions.
(iv) Clean food, water and air.
(v) Providing health care services.
(vi) Imparting health education and promoting public awareness.
(vii) Providing proper facilities for preventing diseases.

Table:- Differences between personal health and community health

S.No. Personal Health Community Health

The state of physical, mental and social It is maintenance, protection and improvement
1 well being of an individual is called of health of the whole community.
personal health.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

Only the individual maintains his/her

2 The whole community remains healthy.
health.
An individual can maintain his health by Community health can be achieved by
(i) Eating balanced diet. (i) Providing treated and safe drinking water.
(ii) Following personal and domestic (ii) Proper disposal of sewage and wastes.
hygiene. (iii) Providing medical facilities.
3 (iii) Consuming clean food, clean water (iv) Control of communicable diseases
and clean air.
(iv) Proper exercise, relaxation and good
habits.

29
Class IX : Biology
Table:- Distinctions between Healthy and Disease free
Disease free Healthy
One who is not suffering from any It is a state of physical, mental and social
disease or disturbance in the functioning well being.
1
of the body is said to be disease free.

It refers to the individual It refers not only to the individual but also
2
its surrounding.
A disease free individual may have good A healthy individual is one who is able to
3 health or poor health perform normal under given situation.

3.0 DISEASE
The word disease (dis-ease) literally means disturbed ease or discomfort. Thus, disease can be
defined as "Malfunctioning of the body or a part of it due to one reason or the other".
Disease is any harmful change that interferes with the normal appearance, structure or function
of the body or any of its part.
When we suffer from a disease, we feel unwell because some part of the body is not working normally.
This is an indication of a disease, which may be in the form of sign and symptom.
A great physician, Hippocrates (460 - 359 B.C.), was the first to look for scientific explanations
for diseases. He is remembered today as the “Father of Medicine”.
Symptom- A symptom is a change in normal functioning of the body which is felt by patient but
cannot be observed by the doctor.
Symptoms only indicate that a patient is suffering from a disease, but they don't give significant
idea about the disease.
Examples- Stomachache, headache.
Sign- A sign of a disease is a change in the body function or structure that can be observed. Signs
give doctors a good idea of a disease.
Examples- Rashes, swelling of gland, change in color of skin.
Therefore, signs and symptoms both help in diagnosis of a disease.
Diagnosis means a process of identifying the disease.
4.0 DISEASES AND THEIR CAUSES
In general terms there can be two causes of a disease:
Immediate causes : Infection by micro-organisms which actually causes the disease.
Contributory causes : Lack of nourishment, economic status of household, genetic factors.
First level cause– Second level cause–
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

Infection by micro Lack of good

organisms nourishments

Diseases

Third level cause–

Poverty and lack of
public services

But on broader scale, human health is affected by various factors ,causes or sources. These factors
can be of two major types:
30
 Why do we fa ll ill
4.1 Intrinsic or Internal Factors
Factors inside the body or within the body.
The important intrinsic factors which affect human health are following :
· Malfunctioning or improper functioning of various body parts such as heart, kidney, liver, etc.
· Genetic disorder.
· Hormonal imbalance.
· Malfunctioning of immune system of body e.g. allergy.
The diseases caused by intrinsic sources are called organic or metabolic diseases. Some of
the diseases caused by intrinsic sources or factors are :
Cardiac failure (Heart attack), Kidney failure, Myopia, Osteoporosis, Sickle cell anaemia, Cataract,
Dwarfism, Haemophilia, Gigantism, Cretinism, Diabetes, Allergies (e.g., asthma) , Arthritis, Cancer.
4.2 Extrinsic or External Factors
Factors outside the body.
The important extrinsic factors which upset human health are following :
· Unbalanced diet or inadequate diet;
· Disease causing microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoans, helminths, etc.;
· Environmental pollutants;
· Tobacco, alcohol and narcotic drugs.

5.0 TYPES OF DISEASES

Types of Diseases

Congenital disease Acquired disease

Communicable Non communicable

or or
Infectious Non infectious
(i) Bacterial (i) Degenerative or Metabolic
diseases
(ii) Viral (ii) Deficiency disease
(iii) Fungal (iii) Allergies
(iv) Protozoan (iv) Cancer
(v) Helminthic (v) Injury
5.1 Congenital Diseases
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

Caused either due to genetic disorders or environmental factors or hereditary diseases. These are
also called inborn diseases because they occur since birth. These diseases may be inherited and
can cause a metabolic disorder or malfunctioning of any organ or organ system.
E.g. Haemophilia, sickle cell anaemia, diabetes etc.
5.2 Acquired Diseases
Acquired by organisms after birth, not inheritable. These are of two types
(i) Communicable diseases : The infectious agents can move from an affected person to a
healthy person, so the infectious diseases are also known as communicable diseases. These
diseases are caused by the attack of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoans, fungi,
helminths etc. and can be transmitted from one person to another by means of air, water, food,
physical contact and insects (vectors).
31
Class IX : Biology
(ii) Non-communicable diseases or Non infectious diseases - Diseases which do not spread
from person to person. A disease that is not caused by an infectious agent is called a non
infectious disease. E.g. Diabetes, cancer. Their causes vary, but they do not have external causes
like microbes that can spread in the community. Their causes are mostly internal and non-
infectious.
Degenerative Diseases- With ageing there is degeneration or deterioration in structure &
function of body cells & organs. Examples of such diseases include– Cataract, Arthritis,
Cardiovascular disease etc.
Deficiency Diseases- These are caused by the deficiency of any nutritive element of the food.
The shortage of that element leads to poor functioning of the corresponding body part. For
example – Night blindness, Scurvy, Anaemia, Goitre, Osteoporosis, etc.
Allergies - These are caused due to an increased or high sensitivity (Hypersensitivity) of the
body to some specific substance in the environment. Any substance that causes allergy is called
allergen. e.g. Hay fever, asthma, skin & eye inflammation, skin rashes etc.
Metabolic Diseases (Organic diseases)- These are caused by the improper functioning of
an organ or tissue, e.g. Diabetes (Diabetes mellitus), Goitre etc.
Cancer- It is caused by the abnormal multiplication of cells in certain body tissues. Cancer are
usually fatal. Any agent that causes cancer is called carcinogen. Most common types of cancer
include skin cancer, liver cancer, oral cancer, breast cancer etc.
Other than these categories of non-infectious diseases, many other causes include mental illness
e.g. depression, and diseases due to physical and chemical agents, e.g. Cardiac diseases,
sunburns, poisoning (from plants or snake bite), chemical poisoning (through lead, mercury,
etc).
l On the basis of duration
Acute disease- A disease that occurs suddenly and lasts for a short time is called acute disease.
e.g common cold, malaria. These diseases generally cured completely.
Chronic disease- A disease that lasts for a long time is called chronic disease. These diseases
generally cannot be cured completely. Only their symptoms can be controlled with medicines.
e.g. Tuberculosis, asthma.
Table :- Differences Between Acute and Chronic Diseases
S.No Acute Disease Chronic Disease
1 Duration :- It is of shorter duration. It is longer duration disease.
2 Body Damage :- Being of short It damage the affected organ due to
duration, it does not damage any prolonged duration.
organ.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

3 Recovery :- The recovery is generally The recovery is seldom complete even

complete after the treatment. after treatment.
4 Effect :- There is neither loss of weight There is often a loss of weight
nor feeling of weakness. accompanied by feeling of tiredness.
5 Loss :- Interruption of work and loss of Interruption of work and loss of efficiency
efficiency are of short duration. are prolonged.
Example :- Diarrhoea, Typhoid. Example :- Tuberculosis, Diabetes.
l On the basis of the extent of occurence
Endemic when the disease is found in a certain area only, attacking a fewer number of people,
e.g. yellow fever in certain African countries, goitre in sub-Himalayan regions of India.
32
 Why do we fa ll ill

Epidemic when the disease breaks out and spreads from place to place, affecting large num-
bers of people, e.g. plague in India in 1994 (from Surat, to many other places).
Pandemic when the disease spreads throughout the world, e.g. AIDS.
Sporadic when there are scattered individual cases of a disease, e.g. Malaria, Cholera.
l Epidemiology : Branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution and possible
control of diseases and other factors relating to health.

Objective Questions
1. 'Pathogens' are -
(A) Substances produced against any disease causative
(B) Chemical substances produced by the host cells to kill the pathogens
(C) Disease causing factors
(D) Cells which kill the parasites

2. Epidemiology deals with the study of -

(A) Mode of transmission of disease (B) Disease causing organisms
(C) Development of resistance against diseases (D) Skin ailments

3. Disease restricted to particular area is called -

(A) Endemic (B) Epidemic (C) Sporadic (D) Pandemic

4. The disease spreads throughout the world is called -

(A) Endemic (B) Epidemic (C) Pandemic (D) Sporadic

5. Ability of an organism to fight infection is called-

(A) Resistance (B) Pathogenicity (C) Infection (D) Virulence

Subjective Questions
6. Balanced diet is necessary for maintaining a healthy body. Explain.

7. Why are we normally advised to take bland and nourishing food when we are sick?

8. What do you mean by disease symptoms?

9. Name two congenital diseases.

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

33
Class IX : Biology

WHY DO WE FALL ILL

(WDWFI–2)
6.0 INFECTIOUS DISEASES
A disease caused by an infectious agent is called an infectious disease.
Infection-The entry and multiplication of a disease-causing organism in the body.
Infectious agents (Pathogens)- They are disease- causing organisms, including bacteria, viruses,
fungi, protozoan parasites and worms.
Host- The organism in which an infectious agent lives and multiplies.
Incubation period - Period between the entry of germs and appearance of first symptom of the
disease.
7.0 INFECTIOUS AGENTS AND SOME DISEASES CAUSED BY THEM
Table:- Diseases Caused by Protozoans in Humans

Name of Parasite Diseases caused Method of transmission

Entamoeba histolytica Amoebic dysentery. By contaminated food & water.
Trypanosoma gambiense African sleeping sickness. By Tsetse fly
Leishmania donovani Kala-azar fever. By sand fly
Plasmodium sps Malaria By female anopheles mosquito

Table:- Viral diseases in Humans

Disease Pathogen Main Symptoms Mode of Infection

Nasal discharge, Sneezing & By droplets from nose and
Influenza Myxo viruses
coughing throat
Smallpox Variola virus Skin rash changing to pustules By contact, droplets

Chicken pox Varicella zoster Skin sores By contact and fomite

Measles Rubeola virus Red watery eyes, skin rash By droplets from nose & throat
Fear of water, inability to
Rabies Rabies virus Bite by rabid dog
swallow
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

Painful enlargement of parotid

By contact and droplets from
Mumps Paramyxo virus glands, difficulty in opening
throat
mouth.
Inflammation of ner-vous system,
Poliomyelitis Polio virus By contaminated food & water
muscle shrinkage, limb paralysis
By contaminated blood and
AIDS HIV WBC destruction
sexual contact
Hepatitis Jaundice due to damaged liver By contaminated food and
Hepatitis
viruses cells. water.

34
 Why do we fa ll ill
Table:- Bacterial Disease in Humans

Disease Pathogen Main Symptoms Mode of Infection

Severe diarrhoea & By contaminated food
Cholera Vibrio cholerae
vomiting and water
Diplococcus
Pneumonia Difficulty in breathing By patient's sputum
pneumoniae
Salmonella By contaminated
Typhoid Constant fever
typhi food and water
Clostridium Painful muscular Through wounds
Tetanus
tetani spasms and burns
Corynebacterium Sore throat, difficulty By oral and nasal
Diphtheria
diphtheriae in breathing discharges
Whooping Severe coughing
Bordetella By throat discharges,
cough characteristic
pertussis contact.
(pertussis) gasping 'whoop'.
Tuberculosis Mycobacterium Cough, bloody
By Droplet infection
tuberculosis sputum, chest pain
Pasteurella
Plague Painful lymph nodes By rat-flea bite
pestis
Table:- Helminthic Diseases in Humans
Disease Pathogen Mode of Infection
Taeniasis Taenia By taking raw or undercooked measly pork
Ascariasis Ascaris By taking eggs with food and water
Filariasis Wuchereria By bites of culex mosquitoes

Table:- Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) in Human

Disease Causative organism Nature of Disease

AIDS (Acquired lmmuno
Retrovirus – HIV Viral
deficiency Syndrome)
Genital Herpes Herpes simplex virus Viral
Genital warts Human papilloma virus (HPVs) Viral
Gonorrhoea Neisseria gonorrhoeae Bacterial
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

Syphilis Treponema pallidum Bacterial

Table:- Diseases Carried by Insects

Insect Causative organism Disease
Mosquito (Anopheles sps) Plasmodium Malaria
Mosquito (Culicine sps) Wuchereria bancrofti Elephantiasis
Mosquito (Aedes aegypti) Dengue virus Dengue
Rat flea Pasteurella pestis Bubonic plague
Sand fly Leishmania donovani Kala azar
House fly Vibrio cholerae Cholera
Tsetse fly Trypanosoma gambiense Sleeping sickness
35
Class IX : Biology

8.0 MEANS OF SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Table:- Means of spread of infectious diseases
Medium for Name of Diseases
Processes of spread of the disease
spread of the that can be spread
Sneezing and coughing of infected person Common cold,
Air causes tiny droplets of liquid containing Pneumonia
bacteria/viruses to come out (droplet infection). Tuberculosis, Influenza.
Food is contaminated by pathogens when
patient do not have clean habit or flies that feed Cholera, typhoid,
Food and Water
on sewage sit on food. Pathogens can get into hepatitis.
water bodies when rainwater carries
When skin comes in contact with an infected
Scabies, herpes,
Through contact person. By touching things like clothes,
ringworm, conjunctivitis
bedsheets etc. used by infected person.
Through body By sexual contact, through blood, semen or AIDS, Syphilis, hepatitis
fluids mother’s milk. B.
An animal that spread disease is a vector. e.g. Malaria, typhoid, kala-
Through vectors
Mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, rats. azar

Objective Questions
1. Which of the following is a viral disease
(A) Cholera (B) Measles (C) Malaria (D) Filariasis
2. Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is caused by
(A) Plasmodium (B) Vibrio (C) Treponema (D) Clostridium
3. Dengue is transmitted by
(A) Culex (B) Male Anopheles (C) Female Anopheles (D) Aedes
4. Which of the following is not a water - borne disease?
(A) Asthma (B) Cholera (C) Amoebiasis (D) All of these

Subjective Questions

5. Name two diseases caused by protozoa.

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

6. What is Carrier?

36
 Why do we fa ll ill

WHY DO WE FALL ILL

(WDWFI–3)
9.0 ORGAN SPECIFIC AND TISSUE SPECIFIC MANIFESTATIONS
Manifestations are the ways by which disease affect a person. Different species of microbes seem
to have evolved to home in or on different parts of the body. In part, this selection is connected
to their point of entry.
Eg. If they enter from air via the nose they are likely to go to lungs like in tuberculosis.
But in some cases, the infectious agents multiply in and affect organs that are not directly related
to the part of the body through which they enter.
Eg. Causative agents of malaria and Japanese encephalitis.
Thus the signs and symptoms of a disease will depend on the tissue or organ which the microbe
targets. If lungs are targeted by a microbe, irrespective of its point of entry, symptoms will be cough
and breathlessness.
Organ/tissue likely to be
Entry of microbes Examples of Diseases
targeted by the
Through eye Eyes Conjunctivitis
Through nose upper respiratory tract, lungs Common cold, Tuberculosis
Through mouth Intestine, Liver Cholera,Typhoid, Hepatitis
Through Blood Brain, Liver/RBC's Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria.
10.0COMMON EFFECTS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The body immune system is activated in response to infection. An activated immune system will
send white blood cells to the affected tissue to kill the pathogens. This defensive reaction of the
body's immune system in response to infection or injury is called inflammation.
Local effects of inflammation - swelling, pain and redness.
General effects of inflammation - fever.
Sometimes an infectious disease might affect the body in such a way that wide-ranging effects are
produced.
For example HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) which causes AIDS, attacks and affects the
immune system of the body. As a result the body's ability to fight infections gets weakened. Thus,
the patient becomes susceptible to different kinds of diseases like tuberculosis, pneumonia , hepatitis.
11.0 PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

Symptom Directed Treatment Killing of Pathogens

Does not cure the disease Treatment that aims at killing the disease causing
itself it is done for comfort of microbe Usually medicines are used to kill the
the patient. Use of microbes. It aims at directing or blocking the
medicines to bring down Principles of
Treatment biochemical pathways used by these pathogens.
fever, to reduce pain or for However care should be taken that these medicines
loose motions. should not affect biochemical pathways important
Bed rest to conserve energy for body. Ex. Antibiotics, drugs that kill protozoans
(eg. malarial parasites) antiviral drugs etc.

Two principles are involved in the treatment of an infectious disease –

37
Class IX : Biology
11.1 To Reduce / Stop the Effect of Disease
The symptoms of a disease such as pain, fever etc., are mainly because of inflammation (a process,
carried out by our immune system to kill the microbes). These symptoms can be reduced or minimised
by taking analgesic and antipyretic drugs. Other symptoms like cough, sneezing, loose motions
can also be reduced by medication.
11.2 To Kill the Infectious Agent or the Cause of Disease
The above symptom–based treatment can provide relief only for a short duration because it does
not kill the cause, i.e., infectious agent. Killing of microbes is essential to treat the disease.
Limitations to principles of treatment of infectious disease
· The body functions may be damaged due to the disease and the patient may never recover
completely.
· During infection our body has a large number of infectious agents multiplying within us. In this
state we can be source of infection and spread it to other people.
That is why "Prevention of diseases is better than their cure"
Why making antiviral medicines is harder than making antibacterial medicines?
Explanation- Antibacterial medicines (Antibiotics) act on various essential biochemical life
processes which is peculiar to a group of bacteria like pathways they use for synthesis of new
substances or respiration. These medicines block the bacterial synthesis pathway without affecting
our own.
An Antibiotic is an organic compound produced by a micro-organism that kills or inhibits the growth
of another microorganism. Alexander Fleming, discovered first antibiotic i.e. Penicillin from
fungi, Penicillium notatum.
Viruses have few biochemical mechanisms of their own. They enter our cells and use our machinery
for their multiplication. This means that there are relatively few virus-specific targets to aim at.
Thus it is harder to make antiviral medicines.
12.0PREVENTION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
To stop a disease from occuring by taking certain precautions is called prevention.
Two types of methods are used :
1. General methods
2. Specific methods
12.1 General Methods
Safe drinking water- We can prevent exposure to water-borne diseases like typhoid, cholera
and hepatitis by providing safe drinking water. The sources of drinking water are usually rivers,
ponds or underground sources.
These can get contaminated when sewage or rainwater carrying infectious agents flow into them.
Therefore, drinking water should be filtered to remove suspended particles and treated (e.g., with
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

chlorine) to kill bacteria.

Proper disposal of waste- We can prevent exposure to infectious diseases of the stomach and
intestine, which can spread through contaminated food, by ensuring the proper disposal of waste.
The waste we generate everyday is the breeding ground for disease-causing microbes. The proper
gathering and disposal of waste is, therefore, very important for preventing diseases like cholera
and typhoid. Covered garbage cans should be provided at garbage-pick-up places in towns or
cities.
The collected garbage should be burnt or buried. All sewage-carrying drains should be covered.
The pipes of the sewage-disposal system should be away from the pipes carrying water. They need
to be checked frequently for cracks, to prevent the contamination of water bodies. Sewage should
be treated before disposal into the water bodies.
38
 Why do we fa ll ill
Control of vectors- We can prevent exposure to vector-borne diseases by controlling the growth
and breeding of animals like mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and rats. Providing clean surroundings
will prevent them from breeding and carrying diseases. We should take steps to eliminate vectors
like mosquitoes, houseflies and sandflies by spraying insecticides. It would be best to eliminate the
sites at which they breed. For example, mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. We should treat large
bodies of stagnant water to prevent the population of mosquitoes from growing.
Having a strong immune system- We have an immune system that defends our body from
infectious agents. Immunity is the ability of the body to resist infections.
Our immune system involves white blood cells, or leucocytes. When infectious agents enter our
body, white blood cells in the blood move to the area of infection. They isolate, engulf, kill and
digest the infectious agents. In this way, they reduce the number of infectious agents in the body
and the ill effects that they could have caused if they were allowed to multiply. As a result, there may
be no significant effect of the disease. Thus our immune system provides a general prevention to
infectious diseases by killing any invading microbe. It is our immune system that protects us from
most diseases even when we are exposed to infectious agents. For example, we may not catch a
cold even when our classmate suffers from it. This is because our immune system must have destroyed
the invading cold-causing viruses in our body.

Taking a balanced diet : We need a balanced diet for the proper functioning of our immune
system. As mentioned earlier, it has been seen that people who eat a balanced, nourishing diet are
less prone to falling ill as they have better immunity. Therefore, prevention of infectious diseases
also depends on the availability of proper food.
All the above provide general prevention to many infectious diseases. Our immune system also
provides specific prevention against specific infectious agents. It works when some infectious agents
invade the body and escape its general immune response.

12.2 Specific Methods

These methods are disease specific. Specific prevention is provided by the immune system when it
produce some specific molecules called antibodies to fight against specific invading microbes or their
products is called antigens.
Antibodies are proteins made by the white blood cells, called lymphocytes, in response to any foreign
substances, called antigens, in order to detect them, bind with them and destroy them. Antigens are
usually proteins. They can be present on the surface of bacteria and viruses. The harmful chemicals
that some pathogens secrete can also be regarded as antigens.
When we suffer from a mild form of disease, our immune system forms antibodies against the
invading antigens.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

At the second infection of that disease, the immune system responds faster to destroy the antigens
as there are antibodies that already recognize them. As a result ,we don't suffer from the severe
form of the disease.
For example ,if we had mild chickenpox once, we will not suffer from its severe form later. This
forms the basis of immunization.
Immunization
It is the process of stimulating the body to produce antibodies by artificial means. It can be done
with the help of vaccines.

39
Class IX : Biology
Vaccines
It is a preparation of weakened - infectious agents or their products that can be injected or given
orally to prevent specific diseases. This doesn't actually cause the disease but this would prevent
any subsequent exposure to the infecting microbe from turning into actual disease.
Nowadays vaccines are available against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, chickenpox,
measles, mumps, typhoid, hepatitis and many other diseases. Many of these vaccines are given
to children under the public health programme of childhood immunization e.g. BCG- (Bacillus
Calmette Guerin) for TB, DPT vaccine also called Triple Vaccine for Diphtheria, Pertussis & Tetanus.
Pulse polio programme
The pulse polio programme is an immunization drive against polio. Polio is a disease of the
muscles and nerves which can cause paralysis. To prevent polio, oral vaccines are given periodically
to all children under 5 years of age in our country. This is an effort to eradicate polio, so no child will
be infected by the polio virus.
Smallpox vaccine
An immunization programme was carried out earlier to eradicate smallpox. Earlier, in smallpox
epidemics people were afraid of going near someone suffering from it. Smallpox was controlled
and eradicated with the help of a vaccine. There is an interesting story about how the smallpox
vaccine and the concept of vaccination came.
An English physician, Edward Jenner (1749-1823) observed that people who got cowpox , a
mild disease, did not suffer from smallpox, a more severe disease. Usually, the girls who milked
cows got cowpox, a disease that causes rashes on the hands. Jenner decided to test his observations
about cowpox and smallpox. Jenner took some pus with a sterile needle from the cowpox rashes of
an infected girl and injected it into scratches made in the skin of an uninfected boy, who soon got
cowpox. After he recovered, Jenner injected the boy’s arm with pus from the spots of a person
suffering from smallpox. Luckily, the boy did not get smallpox and Jenner’s experiment was
successful. The modern term ‘vaccination’ comes from the Latin words 'vacca' which means cow
and ‘vaccinia’ which means cowpox. It tells us how Jenner made the first vaccine against smallpox
using the microbes of cowpox, a similar but less severe disease.

Objective Questions
1. Cells involved in immune mechanism are
(A) Erythrocytes (B) Lymphocytes (C) Osteocytes (D) Thrombocytes
2. An antibody is
(A) Molecule that specifically inactivates an antigen (B) WBC which invades bacteria
(C) Secretion of mammalian RBC (D) Component of blood
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

3. Passive immunity is defined as immunity

(A) Inherited from parents
(B) Achieved through vaccination
(C) Achieved through first exposure of the disease
(D) Achieved through the sera of other animals enriched in antibodies.
4. A broad spectrum antiboitic
(A) Destroys both viruses and bacteria
(B) Can act upon more varieties of pathogens
(C) Can affect host and predator equally
(D) Acts on specific bacteria.

40
 Why do we fa ll ill
Subjective Questions
5. Which age group is susceptible to polio?
6. Name any two groups of micro-organisms from which antibiotics could be extracted.
7. Why are antibiotics not effective for viral diseases?

l Germ Theory of Diseases, states that communicable diseases are caused by germs (viruses
and minute organisms), established by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch.

l "Father of Bacteriology" title given to Louis Pasteur, a French chemist, 1822 - 1895.

l Signs and Symptoms, both are abnormalities that indicate diseases. However signs can be observed
in a patient (inflammation, skin rashes, coughing, fever) whereas symptoms can be experienced
by patient only (pain, nausea).

l Syndrome – Aggregate of signs and symptoms indicating the presence and nature of a disease.

l Immunization – Process or procedure of making a person immune to a disease.

l Pathology- Medical science dealing with all aspects of disease

l Immunopathology- Study of diseases resulting from reactions of immunity.

l Father of Immunology- Emil Von Behring, a German bacteriologist and Nobel laureate, 1854
- 1917, discovered diphtheria antitoxin.

l Etiology- Study of the causes of disease

l Prophylaxis- Prevention of disease.

l Serology- Study of serum, especially of specific immune or lytic serum.

l Bactericide (Bacteriocide)- An agent that kills bacteria

l Antihistamine- Medicine that gives relief from allergy. Example : avil.

l Antiseptic- An agent that prevents the growths of microoganisms by killing them. Examples : spirit,
dettol.

l DOTS- Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse for TB.

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

l ORS- Oral Rehydration Solution.

41
Class IX : Biology

1. A healthy person is one who is free from

(A) disease (B) mental tension
(C) disease and mental tension (D) bacteria

2. Fruits and vegetables bought from the market

(A) may be coated with pesticides (B) may carry germs
(C) may carry egg of worms (D) all the above

3. The study of resistance to disease is

(A) pathology (B) cytology (C) immunology (D) none of these.

4. Organic diseases are those, which are

(A) Caused by the improper functioning of an organ or tissue.
(B) Caused by abnormal multiplication of cells in certain body tissues.
(C) Caused by hypersensitivity of the body to some specific substances.
(D) Caused by degeneration of cells and organ structure and function.

5. Congenital diseases
(A) Are present from birth (B) Are deficiency diseases
(C) Spread from one individual to another (D) Acquired after birth

6. Which of the diseases is not communicable

(A) Typhoid (B) Cancer (C) Measles (D) Cholera

7. Diseases of the Heart, joints and nervous system are called

(A) Communicable diseases (B) Degenerative diseases
(C) Deficiency diseases (D) Allergies

8. Innate immunity is also called–

(A) Familial (B) Inborn (C) Genetic (D) All of these
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

9. Among the following, a communicable disease is

(A) Diabetes (B) Kwashiorkor (C) Hypertension (D) Diphtheria

10. Which of the following is not a congenital disease–

(A) Haemophilia (B) Colourblindness (C) Diabetes (D) Myopia

11. The disease which last for a short duration is called -

(A) Acute (B) Chronic (C) Sporadic (D) Pandemic

42
 Why do we fa ll ill
12. Haemophilia is a
(A) chronic disease (B) congenital disease (C) acute disease (D) deficiency disease

13. Common cold is a

(A) chronic disease (B) congenital disease (C) acute disease (D) genetic disorder

14. Typhoid is an infectious disease caused by

(A) virus (B) bacteria (C) protozoan (D) worm

15. Goitre is caused due to deficiency of

(A) vitamin A (B) fluorine (C) iodine (D) vitamin C

16. Disease-causing factors existing within the body itself are called
(A) extrinsic factors (B) hereditary factors
(C) congenital factors (D) intrinsic factors

17. Vector of malaria is

(A) female Anopheles (B) male Anopheles (C) female Culex (D) male Culex

18. Tuberculosis is caused by

(A) a bacterium (B) a virus (C) a protozoan (D) Air pollution

19. Mosquitoes spread

(A) influenza (B) rabies (C) malaria (D) AIDS

20. Which one of the following is not correctly matched?

(A) Tse Tse fly – Sleeping sickness (B) Culex – Filariasis
(C) Aedes – Dengue (D) Anopheles – Leishmaniasis

21. Typhoid is caused by -

(A) Escherichia (B) Giardia (C) Salmonella typhi (D) Shigella

22. Which of the following disease is due to an allergic reaction ?

(A) Goitre (B) Enteric fever (C) Skin Cancer (D) Hay Fever
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

23. In AIDS, the system which show failure is–

(A) Digestive system (B) Respiratory system (C) Defence system (D) Sensory system

24. Which one of the following is a protozoan disease?

(A) Polio (B) AIDS (C) Taeniasis (D) Malaria

25. Which of the following disease is caused by bacteria

(A) Small pox (B) Polio (C) AIDS (D) Cholera

43
Class IX : Biology
26. Diagnostic test for AIDS is
(A) Widal Test (B) Lepromin test (C) ELISA Test (D) Biopsy

27. OPV prevents the attack of

(A) typhoid (B) polio (C) tetanus (D) cholera

28. AIDS day is celebrated on

(A) 5th June (B) 1st October (C) 11th june (D) 1st December

29. Immunization is induced in a body by

(A) Antibiotics (B) Vaccination (C) Sterlization (D) Blood transfusion

30. Antibodies are–

(A) Carbohydrate (B) Protein (C) Lipid (D) None of these

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

44
 Why do we fa ll ill

1. What kind of a disease is arthritis ?

(A) An acute disease (B) A chronic disease
(C) An infectious disease (D) A communicable disease

2. Which disease is likely to occur in crowded areas ?

(A) Non infectious (B) Infectious (C) Genetic (D) Deficiency disease

3. The interval between infection and appearance of a disease is known as

(A) inoculation (B) penetration (C) infection (D) incubation period

4. Blood capillaries can easily rupture due to the deficiency of

(A) Vitamin A (B) Vitamin C (C) Vitamin D (D) Vitamin K

5. Anaemia is caused due to deficiency of

(A) Sodium (B) Iron (C) Calcium (D) Phosphorus

6. A patient was advised to take antipyretic drug and bed rest by her doctor. She must have been
suffering form
(A) cataract (B) influenza (C) diabetes (D) beri beri

7. Elephantiasis is a disease that result in

(A) long-term effects on health (B) short-term effects on health
(C) no effect on health (D) occasional bad effects on health

8. Breathing polluted air causes diseases of the

(A) nervous system (B) circulatory system (C) respiratory system (D) digestive system

9. Disease those can be transmitted through body fluids are

(A) tuberculosis & cholera (B) typhoid and cholera
(C) cholera and rabies (D) AIDS and hepatitis B

10. Which of the following is due to external causes ?

(A) Jaundice (B) Diabetes (C) Arthritis (D) Cataract

11. House flies are the vectors/carriers of

(A) Cholera (B) Malaria (C) Dengue (D) Yellow fever

12. The infectious agents responsible for which disease can be spread when the patient coughs ?
(A) AIDS, TB and hepatitis (B) TB, influenza and cholera
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

(C) TB and influenza (D) TB and hepatitis

13. Causative agent of Pneumonia is :

(A) Salmonella (B) Mycobacterium (C) Streptococcus (D) Diplococcus

14. Which of the following is a bacterial disease

(A) Poliomyelitis (B) Filariasis (C) Tetanus (D) Malaria

15. The group of sexually transmitted diseases is

(A) AIDS, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea (B) AIDS, T.B., Gonorrhoea
(C) Cholera, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea (D) Syphilis, Diarrhoea, Gonorrhoea

45
Class IX : Biology

Very short answer type questions

1. Give two examples of viral diseases.

2. Name the disease in which

(a) Patient fears from water (b) Yellowing of skin takes place

3. Name one sexually transmitted viral disease.

4. What is ORS ?

5. Name the causal organism and vector of malaria respectively.

6. Name the causal organism of

(a) Tuberculosis (b) Plague

7. Name two diseases against which vaccines are available.

8. Expand AIDS.

Short answer type questions

9. In a cluster of hutments, many people are suffering from malaria. Mention the unhygienic conditions
that must be prevailing in that locality. How does a doctor confirm malaria?

10. It was diagnosed that the body of a patient has lost its power of fighting any infection. Name
the disease he is suffering from. What type of microbe is responsible for this disease and how
does it spread from one person to the other.

11. After eating mutton in a party, a number of people complained of nausea, vomiting, pain in abdomen
and passage of stools with blood and mucus. What type of disorder are they suffering from? Name
the microbe responsible for their condition.

12. Explain the methods of prevention of Malaria.

Long answer type questions

13. What kind of food is advised when we fall sick?

14. How do infectious diseases spread?

15. What measures would you take to protect yourself from infectious diseases?

16. Why is prevention better than cure?

19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

46
 Why do we fa ll ill

1. Sleeping sickness is caused by a protozoan Trypanosoma. This protozoan is present in the

salivary gland of a blood sucking insect. The name of that insect is? (Raj/NTSE Stage-I/2007)
(A) Culex mosquito (B) Anopheles mosquito
(C) Fruit fly (D) Tsetse fly

2. Match the items in column I with column II (Raj/NTSE Stage-I/2008)

Column - I Column - II
(A) Plasmodium (P) Sleeping sickness
(B) Trypanosoma (Q) Common cold
(C) Bacteria (R) Malaria
(D) Virus (S) Diphtheria
Which one of the following alternative is correct ?
(A) A ® Q; B ® P; C ® S; D ® R (B) A ® R; B ® P; C ® S; D ® Q
(C) A ® Q; B ® R; C ® S; D ® P (D) A ® R; B ® S; C ® P; D ® Q

3. DOTS is related to which disease (Raj/NTSE Stage-I/2009)

(A) T.B. (B) Cholera (C) Rabies (D) Typhoid

4. Which of the following disease is caused by insect-bite_ (Raj/NTSE Stage-I/2011)

(A) Scurvy (B) Dengue (C) Pneumonia (D) Asthma

5. Typhoid is caused by (Raj/NTSE Stage-I/2012)

(A) Streptococcus (B) Salmonella (C) Giardia (D) Mycobacterium

6. Which of the following diseases is not related with sexual transmission?

(Raj/NTSE Stage-I/2014)
(A) Syphilis (B) Gonorrhoea
(C) Allergy (D) AIDS

7. Which one of the following pairs of causative agent and type of disease are correct ?
(I) Leishmania – Sleeping sickness
(II) Nematode – Elephantiasis
(III) Trypanosoma – Kala azar
(IV) Staphylococcus – Acne
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

(NTSE Stage-2/2017)
(A) (I) and (II) (B) (II) and (III)
(C) (II) and (IV) (D) (III) and (IV)

8. A 'life- style' disorder among these is: (NSEJS /2017)

(A) Hypertension (B) Presbyopia (C) Herpes (D) Scurvy

9. Non-communicable disease is (Raj/NTSE Stage-I/2017)

(A) Cancer (B) AIDS
(C) Amoebiasis (D) Jaundice

47
Class IX : Biology
10. Edward Jenner’s contribution for the eradication of small pox is (NTSE Stage-2/2018)
(A) his propostion that small pox had possibly spread throughout the world form India and
China.
(B) his discovery of transformation procedure.
(C) his finding that rubbing of the skin crust of small pox victims on the arm of a healthy
person, would develop resistance against small pox.
(D) his finding that the cow pox infection protects the person from subsequent infection from
small pox.

11. Bacterial disease is (Raj/NTSE Stage-I/2018)

(A) Dengue (B) Polio myelitis (C) Tuberculosis (D) Chicken pox.

12. Disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin-D is (Raj/NTSE Stage-I/2018)

(A) Night blindness (B) Beri-beri (C) Scurvy (D) Rickets.

13. Character(s) of acquired immunity is (are): (NSEJS /2018)

(A) Differentiation between self and non-self (C) Retains memory
(B) Specificity of antigen (D) All the above

*** **

ANSWERS
CHECK POST-1
1. (C) 2. (A) 3. (A) 4. (C) 5. (A)
CHECK POST-2
1. (B) 2. (C) 3. (D) 4. (A)
CHECK POST-3
1. (B) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (B)

EXERCISE-1 (ELEMENTARY)
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. C D C A A B B D D D A B C B C

Que. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\2-Why do we fall ill (Final)

Ans. D A A C D C D C D D C B D B B

EXERCISE-2 (SEASONED)
Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. B B D B B B A C D A A C D C A

EXERCISE-4 (COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Ans. D B A B B C C A A D C D D

48
 Chapter

3
Natural Resources
1.0 INTRODUCTION
2.0 NATURAL RESOURCES
3.0 TYPES OF RESOURCES
4.0 AIR: THE BREATH OF LIFE (ATMOSPHERE)
4.1 Composition of Air
4.2 Importance of Atmosphere
4.3 Role of Atmosphere (Air)
4.4 Air Pollution
4.5 Harmful Effects of air Pollution
5.0 WATER : A WONDER LIQUID
5.1 Necessity of Water
5.2 Water Pollution
5.3 Effects of Water Pollution
5.4 Diseases Related with Water Pollution
6.0 SOIL
6.1 Formation of Soil
6.2 Factors Responsible for Soil Formation
6.3 Components of Soil
6.4 Soil Pollution
6.5 Major Soil Pollutants
6.6 Effects of Soil Pollution
6.7 Soil Erosion
7.0 BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
7.1 The Water Cycle
7.2 Nitrogen Cycle
Unit two

7.3 Carbon Cycle

7.4 Oxygen Cycle
EXERCISE 1 (ELEMENTARY)

EXERCISE 2 (SEASONED)

EXERCISE 3 (CBSE PATTERN)

EXERCISE 4 (COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT)

A KL'ASFKL ASJDF KL;ASDF KLASFKL;J ASDFJ KL;ASDF KLJASDFJ ASDFKLJ FJSDAF JASD KL
 Natural Resources

NATURAL RESOURCES (NR)

(NR–1)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The materials present in natural environment and useful to living organisms are called natural
resources.
A resource satisfies human wants. Water, air, sunshine, land, soil, forests, wildlife, fishes, minerals
and power resources all are useful to man. All basic needs of food, shelter and clothing are supplied
by natural resources on earth. Natural resource includes total natural environment, that is the
entire surface layer of earth, because all parts of earth's surface are of some use to man as they
contribute to the production of necessities and comfort to mankind.
The word resource is used for "means of supplying a material generally held in reserve".
2.0 NATURAL RESOURCES
Substances used by man in bulk for survival are called resources and since they are found in
nature, they are called natural resources.
The resources available on earth include land (Lithosphere), water (Hydrosphere) and air
(Atmosphere).
Probably, the earth is the only planet on which life exists.
Life exists on earth because it has all the physical conditions necessary for sustaining it. An ambient
temperature, water and food are the basic need of all life forms. These basic needs of the life
forms are to be met by the resources available on the earth and the energy from the sun.
The outer crust of the earth is called lithosphere.
The water present on the earth's surface and underground constitute hydrosphere.
The air that covers the whole of the earth like a blanket is called atmosphere.
About 71% of the earth's surface is covered with water.
The life sustaining zone of the earth where the lithosphere, the hydrosphere and the atmosphere
interact and make life possible is called the biosphere. Living things constitute the biotic component
of biosphere. The air, the water and the soil form the abiotic or non living component of the
biosphere.
NATURAL RESOURCES

INEXHAUSTIBLE EXHAUSTIBLE
•These occur in •These occur in limited quantity
Unlimited quantity •These are likely to be exhausted by
•These are not likely to be exhausted by human activity for their use but can be
Human activity or their use. replenished in the nature.
EXAMPLE
• SOLAR ENERGY
• WIND POWER RENEWABLE NON-RENEWABLE
• RAIN FALL •These can replenish • These cannot replenish
• POWER OF TIDES themselves by Themselves by quick recycling
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

• HYDRO POWER quick recycling. • These may be exhausted.

•These are not likely to
be exhausted. EXAMPLE
EXAMPLE • FOSSIL FUELS
• MINERALS
• BIOLOGICAL SPECIES
• WATER
• NATURAL VEGETATION
• SOIL FERTILITY
• WILDLIFE
• AQUATIC ANIMALS
• HUMANS
Basic types of natural resources

49
Class IX : Biology
Renewable Energy Non-renewable Energy

Solar energy
Fossil fuel oil
Coal
Hydropower Biomass energy
energy
Energy Energy

Nuclear Natural gas

Geothermal energy Wind energy

Fig.Fig. 1 Types
1 Types of Energy
of Energy
3.0 TYPES OF RESOURCES
(i) Based on continual utility: Some resources are exhausted soon, whereas other last for
a long period. Thus, depending upon the availability of resources, during our continuous use,
a resource may be renewable, non-renewable and cyclic.
(a) Renewable resources: Resources which can be renewed along with their exploitation and
are always available for use. Hence, they are called renewable resources. For instance, forests
are renewable. If trees are cut off for wood, original forest covers may be maintained through
planting new trees i.e., afforestation. However, formation of some resources like iron ore, coal,
mineral oil etc. has taken several thousand years.
(b) Non-renewable resources: Once they are used in unlimited way they can not be easily
replaced. Therefore, if exploited at larger scale they will deplete faster. Hence, such resources
are called non-renewable resources or exhaustible, water used in industry and domestic way can
be cleaned and used again for similar or other purposes.
(c) Cyclic resources : Such resources that can be used again and again are called cyclic
resources.

(ii) Based on origin: On the basis of their origin, resources may be biotic (organic) or abiotic
(inorganic). Biotic resources are obtained from the biosphere. Forest and forest products, crops,
birds, animals, fishes and other marine life forms are examples of biotic resources. Coal and
mineral oil also belong to this category since they originate from organic matter. Some biotic
resources like forest and livestock are renewable, whereas coal and oil are non-renewable. Resources
composed of non-living inorganic matter are called abiotic resources. Land, water and minerals
like iron, copper, lead and gold are abiotic resources.
(iii) Based on utility : Every resource has some utility. For example, some are used as food,
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

some as raw materials and others as sources of energy.

4.0 AIR : THE BREATH OF LIFE (ATMOSPHERE)

Air is a mixture of many gases like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapour and some
others present in the atmosphere.
It is an important inexhaustible natural resource.
Atmosphere (air) is a transparent protective envelope of gases that surrounds the earth. Atmosphere
near the earth (troposphere) contains water vapours and suspended dust particles.

50
 Natural Resources

Fig. 2 Different Regions of Atmosphere

4.1 Composition of Air
Nitrogen (N2) 78%
Oxygen (O2) 21%
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 0.03% ù
Argon 0.93% ú 1%
Helium, Neon, Ozone, Ammonia 0.04% û
• Helium, Neon and Argon are noble gases.
The density of air in the atmosphere varies at different altitudes from the surface of the earth.
The atmosphere is thus divided into four regions of concentric layers.
Table 1:- Regions of Atmosphere
S.No. Region Range of distance Density of air Importance
1 Troposphere 10-12 kms from the Highest Most of the atmospheric air is
surface of earth present here. It is a medium for
locomotion of flying animals,
helps in dispersal of seeds and
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

fruits; region of cloud formation.

2 Stratosphere 12-60 kms Less than Contains ozone layer that traps
troposphere most of UV rays and cosmic
rays of the Sun.
3 Mesosphere 60-100 kms Low —
4 Thermosphere 100 kms upwards Extremely low Reflect radio waves back to
earth, artificial satellites are
present here.

51
Class IX : Biology
4.2 Importance of Atmosphere
(i) Role of atmosphere in climate control- The atmosphere acts as a protective blanket
for the Earth. Since atmosphere is a bad conductor of heat, it keeps the average temperature
of the Earth fairly constant during the day and even during the course of the whole year. The
atmosphere prevents the sudden increase in temperature during daylight hours. And during the
night, it slows down the escape of heat into outer space. Thus, the Earth receives just the right
amount of heat, which helps in climate control and allows living organisms to exist.
(ii) The movement of air- The atmosphere gets heated from the radiation that is reflected
back or re-radiated by the land or water bodies. As a result of heating, convection currents are
set up in the air. Since land gets heated faster than water, the air over land gets heated faster
than the air above water bodies.

Direction of Wind Direction of Wind

Cool Air Warm Air Warm Air Cool Air

Land Sea Land

Sea Water
Water

(a) During Day (b) During night

(Sea breeze) (Land breeze)

Fig. 3 Movement of wind due to uneven heating of the air

Fig. 3 Movement of wind due to uneven heating of the air
In coastal regions, during the day, the air above the land gets heated faster and starts rising.
So a region of low pressure is created and air over sea moves into this area of low pressure.
The movement of air from one region to the other region causes winds.
During the day, the direction of wind would be from the sea to the land and at night, both land
and sea starts to cool. Since water cools down slower than the land, the air above water would
be warmer than the air above land, thus the direction of wind would be from the land to the
sea.
4.3 Role of Atmosphere (Air)
Atmosphere provides
(i) Oxygen for respiration in plants and animals.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

(ii) CO2 for photosynthesis.

(iii) Medium for locomotion of flying animals.
(iv) Medium for communication.
(v) Medium for combustion (oxygen is required for combustion).
4.4 Air Pollution
It is an undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological characteristics of air. It is caused
due to an increase in the content of harmful substances (air pollutants) in air such as oxides
of nitrogen and sulphur, etc. The major sources of air pollution are burning of fossil fuels like
coal and petroleum, automobiles, thermal power plants and industries. The substance, chemical
or factor which has the potential to adversely affect natural characteristics of environment, natural
52
 Natural Resources
resources and assets are called pollutant.
These are of two types: (i) Primary (ii) Secondary

Table 2:- Difference between primary and secondary pollutants

Primary pollutants Secondary pollutants
Pollutant formed from a primary one through
Pollutants which persist in the change or reaction.
environment (NO)x and hydrocarbons react
in the form it is produced. photochemically
to produce PAN (Peroxyacyl nitrate) and O 3.
These include particulate matter, CO, Photochemical smog, O 3 and peroxyacyl
CO2, SO2, (NO)x and hydrocarbons. nitrate are secondary pollutants.
These are more toxic than the primary
These are less toxic. pollutants and this phenomenon is called
synergism.
4.5 Harmful Effects of Air Pollution
(i) Air pollution affects the respiratory system causing breathing difficulties and diseases such
as bronchitis, asthma, lung cancer, tuberculosis and pneumonia.
(ii) Burning of fossil fuels like coal and petroleum releases oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, inhalation
of these gases is dangerous. These gases also dissolve in rain to give rise to acid rain. The term
was coined by Robert August (1872). Acid rain is rainfall and other forms of precipitation
with a pH of less than 5. pH of normal rain is 5.6 - 6.5. Acid rain is caused by large scale emission
of acidic gases into the atmosphere from thermal power plants, industries and automobiles. The
common ones are sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic carbons (VOCs) and
hydrogen chloride. NOx are also produced in atmosphere through lightning. Sulphur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides are changed in the atmosphere into sulphuric acid and nitric acid by combining
with oxygen and water.
2SO2 + O2 ® 2SO3 ; SO3 + H2O ® H2SO4
2NO + [O] ® N2O5; N2O5 + H2O ® 2HNO3

Air Pollutants
Complex oxidation
SO 2 ,NOx
¾¾
® reactions ® H 2SO 4 ,HNO3
¾¾
Acid Precursors

Acid rain damages plants by direct effect on foliage and growing points (eg- chlorosis, necrosis,
defoliation, dieback) It causes leaching of essential minerals of soil. Toxic minerals left in the soil
further kill the plants.
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Acid rain has also ruined fresh water reservoirs of most industrialised countries. Acidity dissolves
toxic metals like Hg, Pb, Zn, Al. Both acidity and toxic metals kill all types of aquatic life except
some algae and fungi. Acid rain corrodes metals, marble, painted surfaces, slate, stone etc. The
phenomenon is called stone leprosy.
(iii) The combustion of fossil fuel also increases the amount of suspended particles in air. These
suspended particles could be unburned carbon particles or substances called hydrocarbons.
The presence of high levels of all these pollutants, reduce visibility in cold weather where water
also condenses out of air forming smog. Smog is an indication of air pollution.

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Class IX : Biology
(iv) Regular breathing in the polluted air increases the incidence of allergies, cancer and heart
diseases.
(v) Ozone exists in the form of layer so called ozone layer at a height of about 15-60 km in
the stratosphere. The ozone layer blocks the short wave ultraviolet radiation (280 to 320 nanometer)
wavelength that passes through it. This property gives it an important function in protecting the
biosphere. If the O3 layer were not present then the UV rays would destroy most or all the life
on earth. Ozone depleting substances (ODS) are substances which react with ozone present in
the stratosphere and destroy the same. The major, ODS are chlorofluorocarbons (14% of total
depletion), nitrogen oxides (3.5% depletion) sulphur dioxide, halogen, carbon tetrachloride, chlorine
etc. Many of these are being released by jets flying in the stratosphere and rockets being fired
into space. Other are persistent in the troposphere and gradually pass into stratosphere. Maximum
ozone depleting potential or ODP is of chlorofluorocarbon which is due to release of chlorine
by it. A single chlorine atom converts 1 lakh molecules, of ozone into oxygen. The reactions were
discovered by Molina and Rowland (1974, Nobel Prize, 1995 alongwith Crutzen). Chlorine
action over ozone is chain reaction.
UV-C UV-C
CFCl3 ¾¾¾ ® CFCl2 + Cl CFCl2 ¾¾¾ ® CFCl + Cl

Cl + O3 ® ClO + O2 ClO + O3 ® Cl + 2O2

Ozone shield. The ozone layer surrounds the earth and absorbs most of the sun's ultraviolet
rays. The comparatively thin layer over Antarctica is actually considered the hole in ozone shield.
Effects of Ozone Depletion-
l Incidence of cataract, skin cancers (including melanoma), dimming of eye sight, photoburning,
deficient functioning of immune system would increase.
l A large number of land animals would become blind.
l There will be higher mortality of young ones of animals.
l UV radiations inhibit photosynthesis by affecting photosynthetic machinery. Productivity of oceans,
due to affect on phytoplankton will decrease by 6-22%. Productivity of terrestrial systems will
fall by 10-25%.
l Decreased photosynthetic activity will increase CO2 concentration of the atmosphere resulting
in global warming.
l Both marine and terrestrial food chains will be disturbed.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

1. Best source of renewable energy is:

(A) Minerals (B) Petroleum (C) Coal (D) Trees

2. Which of the following is not a noble gas:

(A) Helium (B) Hydrogen (C) Neon (D) Argon

3. Density of air is lowest in the region.

(A) Troposphere (B) Stratosphere (C) Mesosphere (D) Thermosphere

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4. Ozone layer is found in the region of
(A) Stratosphere (B) Mesosphere
(C) Between Troposphere and mesosphere (D) Thermosphere

5. Automobile exhaust gas that causes major respiratory problem is:

(A) CO (B) CH4 (C) NO2 (D) Chlorine

6. A secondary pollutant is:

(A) PAN (B) CO (C) CH4 (D) Pb

7. Corrosion of statues and monuments occurs due to

(A) Photochemical smog (B) CO (C) Acid rain
(D) Methane

8. Which one of the following is not a greenhouse gas:

(A) CO2 (B) CH4 (C) O2 (D) CFC's

9. World environment day is

(A) 28 Feb (B) 5 June (C) 7 Aug (D) 10 April

10. Name one (i) Inexhaustible resource (ii) Renewable exhaustible resource (iii) Nonrenewable
exhaustible resource.

11. Define atmosphere.

12. What is smog ?

13. What is the direction of air in coastal areas during the night ?

14. If there is no atmosphere around the Earth, what will happen to its temperature?

15. How does the temperature of Earth's atmosphere remain fairly uniform during the day?

16. Why is the air near the busy roads more polluted than air at a distance from the busy roads?
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

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Class IX : Biology

NATURAL RESOURCES
(NR–2)
5.0 WATER : A WONDER LIQUID
(i) The oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, pools, polar ice caps, water vapour, etc. collectively
form the hydrosphere, the main component of which is water. Major part of water is found in
seas and oceans. Earth is called water planet as 71% of its surface is covered by water. Of this
water 97% is in oceans which is unsuitable for human consumption. Thus, fresh water is only
3% of the total global water.
(ii) Water is the most essential component of life.
(iii) Fresh water is found in ice-caps and on snow covered mountains. The underground water
and the water in rivers, lakes and ponds is also fresh. Fresh water is essential for life on earth
as well as for survival of human race. Our fresh water resources are getting depleted. Year 2007
has been celebrated as water conservation year.
5.1 Necessity of Water
(i) All cellular processes take place in water medium.
(ii) All reactions that take place within our body and within the cells occur between substances
that are dissolved in water.
(iii) Substances are also transported from one part of the body to the other in a dissolved form.
(iv) Organisms need to maintain the level of water within their bodies in order to survive.
(v) Terrestrial life forms require fresh water because their bodies cannot tolerate or get rid of the
high amount of dissolved salts in saline water.
(vi) The availability of water is the major resource which determines the diversity of life on land.
Thus, water is essential for sustainance of life.
ACTIVE BIOLOGY
(1) Study the effect of water availability on variety and abundance of life forms.
Select and mark out two areas of equal size (say 1 m2), one near a water body where dampness
(not water logging) is present and one over a dry rocky terrain where there is little water. Count
the number of different species and the number of individuals of each species of plants and animals
found in the two areas. You will find that the rocky area contains very few species and the population
of each species present there is very small. The number of species in damp area is large. The
population of each species is also large.
Maximum diversity and richness of flora and fauna occur in India in two regions-Western Ghats
and North East India. They are also two megadiversity centres of India (out of the total 25 in the
world). Least vegetation and fauna occur in parts of Rajasthan where rainfall is little. A similar
condition occurs in cold desert areas of Ladakh and Spiti.
(2) Study the effect of seasons on variety and abundance of life forms
Select and mark out an unused area of about 1 m2 in or near your school. Count the number of
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

different species of plants and animals and number of individuals of each species twice, once during
non-rainy summer season and second time after it has rained. Compare the two. Find out variety
of life forms and number of each life form during the rainy season to be very high as compared
to their occurrence during summer season.
5.2 Water Pollution
It is contamination of water of rivers and lakes with unwanted and harmful substances. Water
is said to be polluted when there is any physical, biological or chemical change in its quality
that adversely affects living organisms and makes it unfit for use. The main causes of water pollution
are population explosion, energy explosion, large scale industrialisation, urbanization etc. The

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main water pollutants are:
(i) Domestic sewage
(ii) Surface run off (Pesticides and fertilizers)
(iii) Industrial Discharges (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, cyanides etc.)
(iv) Radioactive wastes
(v) Oil spills.
Ways by which water is polluted
l Agricultural substances such as fertilisers and pesticides are used to increase crop yield and

some percentage of these is washed into the water bodies that pollutes the water.
l Sewage from homes and wastes from factories are dumped into rivers or lakes.

l Hot and cold water discharged from industries make a change in temperature, which is harmful

for aquatic organisms.

l All these affect the balance among various organisms that are found in water bodies.

Thus, water pollution refers to:

l Addition of undesirable substances to water bodies :

The substances like fertilisers and pesticides used in farming, mercury salts used by paper
industries could be poisonous. There could also be disease-causing organisms, like the bacteria
which causes-cholera.
l Removal of desirable substances from water bodies :

Industrial or household waste reduces the dissolved oxygen in water bodies, thereby affecting
the aquatic life.
l A change in temperature:

Aquatic organisms can stay alive in a certain range of temperature. Sudden change in temperature
of water bodies is dangerous for aquatic organisms and affects their breeding.
5.3 Effects of Water Pollution
(i) Micro-organisms use oxygen in decomposing organic wastes causing deoxygenation of water.
(ii) Foul smell in water bodies is produced which makes it unfit for human consumption.
(iii) Organic wastes form a scum and sludge in polluted water which becomes unfit for industrial
use.
(iv) When Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphate of fertilizers increase in water body it called
eutrophication which stimulate algal bloom.
(v) Heavy metals like mercury, arsenic and lead are neurotoxic in nature.
(vi) Aquatic organisms are adapted to survive in a particular range of temperature. Any sudden
change in this temperature may affect their breeding and can cause damage to their eggs and
larva.
(vii) Sewage is waste water having food residue, animal and human excreta, detergent, discharges
from commercial and industrial establishments. Raw sewage contains a number of pathogens
(typhoid, dysentery, diarrhoea, cholera] coliforms and enterococci. Number of intestinal bacteria
(e.g. coliforms, enterococci) is an indication of pollution caused by raw sewage.
Sewage stimulates the activity of several decomposer organisms collectively called sewage
fungus. Decomposition of organic matter by microbes requires oxygen. Degree of impurity of
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water due to organic matter is measured in terms B.O.D. Biochemical Oxygen Demand
or B.O.D. is the oxygen in milligrams required for five days in one litre of water at 20° C for
the microorganisms to metabolise organic waste. COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) is the amount
of oxygen required to oxidise all the reducing substances present in water. Oxygen used up in
BOD or COD will reduce the amount of dissolved oxygen (DO). DO below 8.0 mg/L indicates
pollution, below 4 mg/L heavy pollution.
5.4 Diseases Related with Water Pollution
(i) Excess nitrate in drinking water, leaves and fruits changes into nitrite in alimentary canal. It
reacts with haemoglobin and produces non-functional methaemoglobin. Methaemoglobin
anemia- It causes blue baby syndrome in infants and breathlessness in adults.
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Class IX : Biology
(ii) Excess fluoride in drinking water and food causes a disorder called fluorosis. It is characterised
by mottled teeth, weak but hardened bones, stiff and painful joints.
(iii) Arsenic comes from bed rock as well as leaching from surface. Chronic exposure leads to
peripheral neuritis, peripheral vascular insufficiency, vasospasm, hyperpigmentation leading to
blackfoot disease.

6.0 SOIL
It forms the upper surface of the land and supports plant growth. Soil is the layer of unconsolidated
particles derived from weathered rock, organic matter (humus), water and air.
Soil is an important resource that decides the diversity of life in an area.
The outermost layer of our Earth is called the crust and the minerals found in this layer supply
a variety of nutrients to life forms.
6.1 Formation of Soil
The formation of soil depends on the parent rock material, the climate and topography of the area,
the organisms present in the soil and the time over which the soil has been developing. Over long
periods of time, thousands and millions of years, the rocks near the surface of the Earth are broken
down by various physical, chemical and some biological processes. The end product of this breaking
down is the fine particles of soil. Formation of soil is called paedogenesis.
6.2 Factors Responsible for Soil Formation
(i) The Sun: The Sun heats up rocks during the day so that they expand. At night, the rocks
cool down and contract. The unequal expansion and contraction in different parts of the rock
results in the formation of cracks and ultimately rocks break up into smaller pieces.
(ii) Water: Water helps in the formation of soil in two ways :
Firstly, water could get into the cracks in the rocks formed due to uneven heating by the Sun.
If this water freezes, it will widen the cracks.
Secondly, fast flowing water carries big and small particles of rock downstream, causing
breakdown of rock particles into smaller, finer particles through their abrasive effects.
(iii) Wind: Strong winds also erode rocks down. They also carry sand from one place to the
other like the water does.
(iv) Living organisms : also influence the formation of soil. While lichens grow on surface
of rocks, they release certain substances that cause the rock surface to powder down and form
a thin layer of soil. Likewise, small plants like moss and roots of big trees also break the rocks.
6.3 Components of Soil
Soil is a mixture of :
(i) Inorganic materials i.e., minerals which are derived from parent rock.
(ii) Soil air Occupying the pores in soil.
(iii) Soil Water Occupying the capillaries in soil.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

(iv) Organic materials i.e., humus It is derived from dead organisms by their decomposition.
(v) Living organisms Such as bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoans, rotifers, nematodes, earthworms,
snails, ants, ticks, millipede, centipede etc. Moreover, soil provides anchorage to plants i.e., roots
of higher plant. Organic materials and living organisms form about 10% of the soil.
The topmost layer of the soil that contains humus and living organisms in addition to the soil
particles called top soil. Humus is a major factor in deciding the soil structure because it causes
the soil to become more porous and allows water and air to penetrate deep under the ground.
The quality of the topsoil is an important factor that decides biodiversity in that area.

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6.4 Soil Pollution

It is the removal of useful components from the soil and addition of other substances, which
adversely affect the fertility of the soil and kill the diversity of organisms that live in it. Use of
large amounts of fertilizers and pesticides destroy the soil structure by killing soil microorganisms
that recycle nutrients in the soil. It also kills the earthworms which are instrumental in making
the humus rich soil and thus affect the fertility of soil.
6.5 Major Soil Pollutants
(i) Pesticides- They include insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides and weedicides. Pesticides
are generally broad spectrum biocides. (i) Organochlorines/Chlorinated Hydrocarbons : The
important ones are DDT (dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane), BHC (benzene hexachloride), aldrin,
dieldrin and endrin. They are persistent, fat soluble and show biomagnification hence they proved
harmful to higher trophic level organisms. Hence, their use is being restricted. (ii) Organo–Pesticides
: Degradable but toxic to workers, e.g., malathion, parathion, carbamates, (iii) Inorganic Pesticides
: They contain arsenic and sulphur, persistent. Hence, their use is highly restricted. (iv) Weedicides
: Often persistent and harmful.
(ii) Fertilizers- Excessive use causes soil deterioration through decrease of natural microflora.
Leaching down causes pollution of underground water. Salts entering crop plants in excess may
prove harmful. For example, nitrate rich leaves, fruits and water produce nitrite in alimentary
canal that enters blood, combines with haemoglobin forming met-haemoglobin and reducing oxygen
transport. It may prove fatal in infants. Organic farming involves use of biofertilisers, manures,
pesticides of organic origin, biological control and resistant varieties.
(iii) Industrial Effluents/Wastes- They include scrap, effluents, sludge, flyash and radioactive
wastes. Industrial solid wastes and sludge add a lot of toxic chemicals into soil. Flyash is fall
out from industrial emissions especially thermal plants. It is also rich in toxic chemicals. Radioactive
wastes from testing laboratories and other sources also pollute the soil. They often have a long
half life, e.g. 27 years for strontium – 90, 30 years for caesium – 137. Main toxic substances
present in industrial wastes are cyanides, chromates, acids, alkalies and metals like mercury, copper,
zinc, lead, cadmium etc.
(iv) Municipal Wastes- They include domestic/kitchen wastes, market wastes, sweepings, wastes
from commercial complexes, rubbish, hospital slaughter house livestock/poultry wastes and trash
like waste metals (e.g., cans), plastic, pet bottles, polyethylene carry bags. Hospital wastes include
vials, plastic and domestic wastes are thus a source of variety of pathogens. Municipal wastes
are partly degradable and partly nondegradable.
(v) Mining Wastes- They include mine dust, rock tailings, slack and slag. Open cast mining
(surface dug out to bring out mineral deposit) completely spoil the surrounding soil. Toxic metals
and chemicals present in the mining wastes destroys vegetation and produce many deformities
in animals and human beings.
6.6 Effects of Soil Pollution
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

(i) The industrial pollutants increase the toxicity levels of the soil.
(ii) Soil pollution due to domestic sewage may cause diseases like tetanus etc. in human beings
(iii) Land pollution may cause several plant diseases.
(iv) Weedicides act as metabolic inhibitors or reduce the plant yield.
(v) Mine dust causes many types of deformities in animals and human beings. It also destroys
the vegetation of that area.

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Class IX : Biology
(vi) Excess of fluorides in land cause fluorosis.
6.7 Soil Erosion
It is the removal and thinning of the fertile top soil from a region due to climatic and physical
processes, such as high rainfall and wind etc. Soil erosion occurs easily where the soil is not
covered by vegetation.
Causes of soil erosion
(i) Wind causes soil erosion by carrying away the top soil particles.
(ii) Rain causes soil erosion of unprotected top soil by washing it down.
(iii) Improper farming or tilling and leaving the field fallow for long time causes soil erosion.
(iv) Frequent flooding of rivers causes soil erosion by removing the top soil of the fields near
the river banks.
(v) Deforestation also leads to soil erosion.
Prevention of soil erosion
(i) It can be prevented by intensive cropping.
(ii) It can be prevented by providing proper drainage canals around the fields.
(iii) Soil erosion in hilly areas can be prevented by practising terrace farming.
(iv) It can be prevented by planting trees and sowing grasses.
(v) It can be prevented by constructing strong embankments along the river banks.
ACTIVE BIOLOGY
Plant cover reduces runoff and soil erosion
Apparatus
Two large trays filled with soil, wooden supports, seeds of Mustard/Green Gram/Paddy, Watering
can.
Working
Sow seeds of Mustard/Green Gram/Paddy in one tray. Water the two trays regularly for a few
days till the tray with seeds is covered with plant growth. Tilt both the trays at a similar angle
by means of wooden supports. With the help of watering can pour equal amount of water gently
over the two trays. Note the amount of soil flowing out of the two trays.
Pour 3-4 times more water from a height in both the trays. Note the amount of soil flowing out
of the two trays.
Results
Gentle pouring of water does not cause any erosion of soil from the tray covered with vegetation.
There is some flow of soil from the second tray where there is no vegetation. Forceful pouring
of larger quantity of water (as during heavy rain) causes very little soil erosion in the tray covered
with vegetation. There is, however, very large amount of soil flowing out of the tray where there
is no vegetation.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

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I II
Fig. 5 Effect of flowing water on top soil, covered, bare.

1. Humus is defined as:

(A) Physical texture of soil (B) Chemical composition of soil
(C) Decomposed organic matter (D) None of these

2. Best type of soil for plant growth is

(A) Loamy (B) Fine sand (C) Clay (D) Gravel

3. The factors that cause soil erosion are

(A) Temperature and light (B) Temperature and wind
(C) Light and humidity (D) Wind and water

4. Biomagnification is shown by
(A) Non-degradable pesticides (B) Degradable pesticides
(C) Domestic wastes (D) Weedicides

5. Soil erosion can be prevented by

(A) Restricted human activity (B) Good plant cover
(C) Checking movement of animals (D) Wind screen alone

6. Removal of top fertile soil by wind or water is

(A) Siltation (B) Soil erosion (C) Weathering of soil (D) Leaching
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

7. Soil microbes play very important role in

(A) Biogeochemical cycling (B) Food chain
(C) Food web (D) Water retention

8. Fluoride pollution mainly affects-

(A) Brain (B) Heart (C) Teeth (D) Kidney

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Class IX : Biology

9. Minamata disease is a pollution related disease which results from -

(A) Oil spills into sea
(B) Accumulation of arsenic in atmosphere
(C) Release of industrial mercury waste into water
(D) Release of human organic waste into drinking water

10. Which of the following are the techniques used for the conservation and management of water
resources-
(A) Rain water harvesting (B) Afforestation
(C) Construction of dams and reservoirs (D) All of the above

11. Which of the following is not a water-borne disease-

(A) Typhoid (B) Cholera
(C) Amoebic dysentery (D) Asthma

12. Blue baby syndrome is due to

(A) Mercury poisoning
(B) Higher concentration of nitrate in drinking water
(C) O3
(D) CH4

13. What is soil?

14. What is weathering?

15. Define humification.

16. Where is the major part of fresh water bound up?

17. What is water pollution ?

18. What is sewage ?

19. What happens when rain falls on soil without vegetation cover?
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

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NATURAL RESOURCES
(NR–3)

7.0 BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES

The cyclic flow of nutrients between non-living environment and living organisms is known as
biogeochemical cycles. It is the process of transfer and circulation of the essential chemical nutrients
such as Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and Nitrogen in a biosphere. These are of three types–
l Water cycle - H

l Gaseous cycle - C, O, N

l Sedimentary cycle - S, P

Fig. 6 Biogeochemical Cycle

7.1 The Water Cycle
It is the whole process in which water evaporates and falls on the land as rain and later flows
back into the sea via rivers. But all the water that falls on the land does not immediately flow
back into the sea. Some water moves inside the soil and reaches the underground water. Some
of the underground water comes up to surface through springs or wells. Plants also releases water
to the atmosphere through transpiration. Water is also released into the atmosphere from soil,
rivers and oceans by evaporation.
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

Fig. 7 Water cycle in nature

7.2 Nitrogen Cycle
The source of nitrogen is atmosphere which contains 78 percent of nitrogen in the form of gas.
Nitrogen is thus an essential nutrient for all life forms. Nitrogen is required for the synthesis of
amino acids, proteins, enzymes, chlorophyll, nucleic acids, etc. Green plants obtain nitrogen from
the soil solution in the form of ammonium, nitrate and nitrite ions, but the main source of all

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Class IX : Biology
these nitrogen compounds is the atmosphere, which cannot be directly metabolised by plants
or animals. Nitrogen-cycle in the biosphere involves the following important steps.
Wet and dry
Atmospheric N deposition
2
Nitrogen fixation by free-living
and symbiotic mincrobes

Consumers Plants

Detritus Litter fall

Denitrification
Uptake
Soil Nitrobacter Soil
Nitrite
– Nitrate
–
(NO 2 ) (NO 3 )
Runoff
Seepage
Fig. 8 Nitrogen cycle in nature
(i) Nitrogen fixation : The process is converting atmospheric nitrogen into nitrates which are
soluble in water.
This process is of two types : (i) Non-biological nitrogen fixation, and (ii) biological nitrogen
fixation.
(i) Non-biological nitrogen fixation or Physico chemical process
In this the atmospheric nitrogen combines with oxygen (as ozone) during lightning or electrical
discharges in the clouds and produces different nitrogen oxides.

N 2 + (O) ¾¾¾¾
electric
discharge
® 2NO

2 NO + 2 (O) ¾¾
® 2NO 2

2 NO 2 + (O) ¾¾
® N 2O5
These nitrogen oxides get dissolved in rain water, and on reaching earth surface they react with
mineral compounds to form nitrates and other nitrogenous compounds;

N 2O5 +H 2 O ¾¾
® 2 HNO 3

2HNO 3 +CaCO3 ¾¾
® Ca (NO3 )2+CO 2 +H 2O
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

During combustion of various types, some nitrogenous compounds are formed, which are washed
down along with rain water.
(ii) Biological nitrogen fixation
Biological nitrogen fixation is carried out by certain prokaryotes. The cyanobacteria (blue-green
algae) fix significant amounts of nitrogen in the oceans, lakes and soils. Symbiotic bacteria
(Rhizobium) inhabiting the root nodules of legumes and symbiotic cyanobacteria, such as Nostoc,
Anabaena, etc., found in free state, or in thalli of Anthoceros (bryophyte), Azolla (water fern),
coralloid roots of Cycas (gymnosperm) fix atmospheric nitrogen.

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Certain free living nitrogen fixing bacteria, such as Azotobacter, Clostridium, Beijerinckia, etc.,
also fix free nitrogen of atmosphere in the soil. Frankia, fungus found in the roots of higher plants,
such as Alnus and Casurina, also fix nitrogen.
Nitrogen fixing organisms combine the gaseous nitrogen of atmosphere with hydrogen obtained
from respiratory pathway to form ammonia, which then reacts with organic acids to form amino
acids. Biological nitrogen fixation is the major source of fixed nitrogen upto 140-700 mg/m2/year
as against 35 mg/m2/year by electrical discharge and photochemical fixation.
Inorganic nitrogen in the form of nitrates and nitrites is absorbed by the green plants and converted
into nitrogenous organic compounds. Nitrates are first converted into ammonia which combines
to organic acids to form amino acids. Amino acids are used in the synthesis of proteins, enzymes,
chlorophylls, nucleic acids, etc.
(ii) Ammonification- The dead organic remains of plants and animals and excreta of animal
are acted upon by a number of microoganisms, especially actinomycetes and bacilli, such as
Bacillus ramosus, B. vulgaris, etc. These organisms utilise organic compounds in their metabolism
and release ammonia. This process is called ammonification. After meeting their own metabolic
requirement, these microbes release the excess ammonia in the soil.
(iii) Nitrification- In next step ammonia is converted into nitrate by a group of chemo-
autotrophic bacteria through a two step process called nitrification.
Certain bacteria, such as Nitrosomonas and Nitrococcus in oceans and soils convert ammonia
into nitrites and then nitrates. These bacteria use the energy of dead organic matter.
2NH4 + 2O2 ¾¾¾¾¾
Nitrosomonas
® NO 2+2H 2O+energy
Conversion of nitrites to nitrates is brought about by Nitrobacter.
Nitrobacter
2NO2+O 2 ¾¾¾¾ ¾® 2NO3+energy
Some nitrates are also made available through weathering of nitrate containing rocks.
(iv) Denitrification- Nitrates are converted into free nitrogen by certain microbes. This process
is referred to as denitrification. Pseudomonas, the most common denitrifying bacteria, thrives
best under poorly aerated and detritus-rich conditions. Denitrifying bacteria transform nitrate
to nitrous and nitric oxides, and ultimately to gaseous nitrogen, which goes to atmosphere.
Denitrification performed by denitrifying bacteria.
2NO3 ¾¾
® 2 NO2 ¾¾ ® N 2 + O2
® 2NO ¾¾
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7.3 Carbon Cycle

Carbon is found in various forms on the Earth. It occurs in the elemental form as diamond and
graphite. In environment, carbon is present in the following forms:
(i) as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
(ii) as carbonate and hydrogen-carbonate salts in various minerals.
(iii) as dissolved carbonic acid and bicarbonates in water.
(iv) as fossil fuels like coal, petroleum and natural gas.

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Plants utilise the atmospheric carbon dioxide in photosynthesis to produce carbohydrates, which
are taken by herbivores and then pass through small and large carnivores. Many marine animals
use carbonates dissolved in sea water to make their shells.
Photosynthesis
Atmospheric ® CO2
Respiration

Burning
Respiration Respiration
by
soil
organisms
Plants Animals Fossil fuel

Decomposition Soil
Detritus Solution

Root respiration

Fig. 9 Carbon Cycle in nature

Carbon dioxide returns to the biosphere in the following ways
(i) Both plants and animals release carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as a product of respiration.
(ii) By decomposition of organic wastes and dead bodies by decomposers.
(iii) By burning of fossil fuels, like coal, and petroleum.
(iv) By forest fires.
Carbon is thus cycled repeatedly through different forms by the various physical and biological
activities.
The Green house effect : Green house is a glass enclosure which is used for growing tropical
plants in colder climate even in winters. It is because the interior of a green house remains warm
because glass allows solar radiations to pass through but prevent their reradiation because of
the longer wavelength of the same. Similar principle is used to describe an atmospheric phenomenon
known as green house effect. It is an effect occurring in the atmosphere because of the presence
of certain gases (green house gases) e.g. CO2, CH4, etc., that absorb infrared radiation and prevent
19\d\PN & CF-2019-20\Biology\IX\Unit-2\3-Natural resources

the escape of heat from earth thereby increasing the temperature world wide. Thus, increase in
carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere would cause more heat to be retained by the atmosphere
leading to global warming.
7.4 Oxygen Cycle
Oxygen forms about 21 per cent of the atmospheric gases. It is also present in dissolved form
in water bodies and helps in the survival of aquatic life. Oxygen is also present in combined
forms such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). In the earth's crust oxygen is found as
the oxides of most metals and silicon and also as carbonate, sulphate, nitrate and other minerals.
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It is also an essential component of most biological molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic
acids and fats.

Atmospheric Oxygen
(O2)

Organic Molecules
C6H12O6

Photosynthesis Respiration

CO2

H2O

Fig. 10 Oxygen cycle in nature

Oxygen cycle maintains the level of oxygen in the atmosphere. Oxygen from the atmosphere is
used up in three processes, namely combustion, respiration and in the formation of oxides of
nitrogen.
All living organisms, plants, animals and decomposers take oxygen from their surroundings and
utilise it for respiration.
Oxygen is returned to the atmosphere by only one major process, i.e., photosynthesis.
Green plants are a major source of oxygen in the atmosphere.

1. Ammonification in the nitrogen cycle is brought about by the activity of:

(A) Nitrobacter (B) Pseudomonas (C) Rhizobium (D) Nitrosomonas

2. Blue green alga responsible for nitrogen fixation is:

(A) Nostoc (B) Rhizobium (C) Clostridium (D) Azotobacter

3. Pseudomonas play an important role in nitrogen cycle in

(A) Ammonification (B) N2 fixation (C) Denitrification (D) Nitrification

4. Denitrification is essential for

(A) Nitrogen cycle (B) Increasing soil fertility
(C) Improving nitrogen status of soil (D) None of above
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5. Bacterial role in carbon cycle is:

(A) Chemosynthesis (B) Photosynthesis
(C) Breakdown of organic matter (D) Assimilation of N2 compounds

6. What are biogeochemical cycle?

7. Which one is the store house or cycling pool of water?

8. What is denitrification?

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9. Name a process which causes a long term withdrawal of carbon from carbon cycle.

10. What is ozone hole?

11. The flow of energy is unidirectional whereas the biogeochemical transfer is cyclic. Why is it so?

12. When we breathe in air nitrogen also goes inside along with oxygen. What is the fate of this nitrogen?

13. A motor car, with its glass totally closed, is parked directly under the Sun. The inside temperature
of the car rises very high. Explain why?

l Fossil fuels considered as non-renewable resources because it takes millions of the year for recycle.

l Lichens shows that atmosphere is free from the pollutants like CO and SO2.

l Poly nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, these are important hydrocarbons and also causes lung cancer
i.e. carcinogenic.

l The pH of acid rain is lesser than < 5.6. In acid rain the ratio of H2SO4 and HNO3 is 7 : 3 (70%
H2SO4 + 30% HNO3)]

l Water regulates the Earth's temperature. It also regulates the temperature of the human body, carries
nutrients and oxygen to cells, cushions joints, protects organs and tissues, and removes waste.

l The availability of water decides not only the number of individuals of each species that are able to
survive in a particular area, but it also decides the biodiversity of life there.
l High concentration of DDT disturb calcium metabolism in birds, which causes thinning of egg shell
and their premature breaking, eventually causing decline in bird populations.

l Soil formation is slow process 1 inch soil is formed in 500-1000 years. Paedogenesis – Development
of soil or soil formation. Paedology (Edaphology) – Study of soil.

l Loamy soil is the best soil for growing crops. It has high water holding capacity, high aeration and
high root penetration.
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l The type of soil is decided by average size of particles found in it and the quality of soil is decided
by the amount of humus and the microscopic organisms found in it.

l Roots loosen the soil, allowing oxygen to penetrate. This benefits animals living in the soil. They
also hold soil together and help prevent erosion. Vegetative cover on the ground also helps in
percolation of water into the deeper layers too.

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l In terrestrial ecosystems, more than 90 percent of the moisture passes through plants by transpiration
and only 10 percent evaporates directly from surfaces.

l Water cycle is directly operated by solar radiation and it is under the control of forests.

l Blood in animals and sap in plants is composed mainly of water.

l Almost one-tenth of the global disease burden could be prevented by improving water supply,
sanitation, hygiene and management of water resources. Such improvements reduce child mortality
and improve health and nutritional status in a sustainable way.

l Nitrogen is in liquid state at a very low temperature. Liquid nitrogen boils at 77 kelvin (–196 °C).
It is easily transported and has many useful applications including storing items at cold temperatures,
in the field of cryogenics (how materials behave at very low temperatures), as a computer coolant.

l Nitrogen compounds are found in foods, fertilizers, poisons, and explosives. Your body is 3%
nitrogen by weight. It is a part of many molecules essential to life like proteins, nucleic acids (DNA
and RNA) and some vitamins.

l Carbon compounds have limitless uses. In its elemental form, diamond is a gemstone and used for
drilling/cutting; graphite is used in pencils, as a lubricant, and to protect against rust; while charcoal
is used to remove toxins, tastes, and odors. The isotope Carbon-14 is used in radiocarbon dating.

l Oxygen gas normally is the divalent molecule O2. Ozone, O3, is another form of pure oxygen.

l Some forms of life, especially bacteria, are poisoned by elemental oxygen. Even the process of
nitrogen-fixing by bacteria does not take place in the presence of oxygen.

l Amount of biogenetic or inorganic materials present in the abiotic environment perunit area at any
time is called standing state.

l Amount of living material present in an ecosystem or biome present at any time called standing
crop.
l World environment day - 5th June
l World forest day - 21st March
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1. Carbon dioxide in atmospheric air amount is about

(A) 0.003% (B) 33% (C) 0.03 % (D) 0.3 %

2. The reservoir for the gaseous type of bio-geochemical cycle exists in–
(A) Stratosphere (B) Atmosphere (C) Ionosphere (D) Lithosphere

3. Lichens do not like to grow in cities because of

(A) SO2 pollution (B) Missing natural habitat
(C) Absence of right type of algae and fungi (D) Lack of moisture

4. Which of the following gases contributes maximum to the 'Greenhouse effect' on earth?
(A) Carbon dioxide (B) Methane
(C) Chlorofluorocarbon (D) Freon

5. Which of the following is not a "Greenhouse gas"?

(A) SO2 (B) CO2 (C) N2O (D) CH4

6. Greenhouse effect is related to

(A) Green trees on house (B) Global warming
(C) Grasslands (D) Greenery in country

7. The pollutant released from motor vehicles

(A) CO2 (B) SO2 (C) NO2 (D) All of these

8. A pollutant is any substance, chemical or other factor that changes natural

(A) Geo-chemical cycle (B) Flora of a place
(C) Balance of our environment (D) Wild life of a region

9. Formation of ozone hole is maximum over

(A) India (B) Antarctica (C) Europe (D) Africa

10. Which disease is not air borne?

(A) Cholera (B) Bronchitis (C) Hayfever (D) Asthma

11. The atmosphere around earth is warmed because

(A) warm air cannot escape, as in a greenhouse
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(B) molecules in the atmosphere are warmed by radiation from earth and retain that heat
(C) fossil fuels release heat
(D) plants release CO2

12. Acid rain occur in the area where–

(A) There is excess production of NH3 and coal gas
(B) Factories are expelling SO2 in air
(C) There is excess release of CO2 due to increase in combustion and respiration
(D) There is excess production of gaseous hydrocarbons

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13. Catalytic converters, which are fitted into automobiles for reducing the emission of poisonous
gases posses which of the following metals as catalyst?
(A) Platinum-Palladium (B) Rhodium
(C) Lead (D) Both (A) and (B)

14. Read the following statements regarding the PAN (Peroxyacyl nitrates) and select the correct ones–
(i) It is a secondary pollutant present in photochemical smog.
(ii) It is produced by photochemical reactions between hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides in the
presence of sunlight or UV radiations.
(iii) It is thermally unstable and decomposes into peroxyethanoly radicals and nitrogen dioxide
gas.
(iv) It is lachrymatory substance, causing irritation of eyes.
(A) (i) and (ii) (B) (iii) and (iv) (C) (i), (ii) and (iii) (D) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)

15. Ozone depletion is occurring widely in–

(A) Troposphere (B) Stratosphere (C) Ionosphere (D) All of these

16. Study the following statements regarding acid rain and select the incorrect ones.
(i) Acid rain refers to the rainfall and other forms of precipitation with a pH of less than 5.
(ii) Oxides of sulphur and nitrogen are released from automobile exhausts, industries, power
plants etc.
(iii) These oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, may react with water in the air and form sulphuric acid
(H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3)
(iv) Acid rain has harmful effects on animals and human beings but no characteristic impact on
plants.
(A) (i) and (iii) (B) (iii) and (iv) (C) (iv) only (D) (ii) only

17. Green house effect is due to–

(A) Accumulation of O3 and depletion of CO2 (B) Accumulation of both O3 and CO2
(C) Accumulation of CO2 and depletion of O3 (D) Presence of green plants on the earth

18. Chlorofluorocarbons are air polluting agents which are produced by–
(A) Diesel trucks (B) Jet planes (C) Rice fields (D) Cellphones

19. Lichens are the indicators of–

(A) Water pollution (B) Air pollution (C) Soil pollution (D) All of these

20. Acid rains are produced by–

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(A) Excess NO2 and SO2 from burning fossil fuels

(B) Excess production of NH3 by industries and power plants
(C) Excess release of carbon monoxide by incomplete combustion of fossil fuels
(D) Excess release of CO2 by combustion and animal respiration

21. Which of the following is the main factor of water pollution?

(A) Pesticides (B) Ammonia (C) Industrial wastes (D) Detergents

22. Agricultural chemicals are

(A) Pesticides (B) Fertilizers (C) Growth regulators (D) All of these
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23. In a natural ecosystem decomposers include
(A) Bacteria & Fungi (B) Parasitic algae
(C) Macroscopic animals (D) All the above

24. Rate of decomposition depends upon–

(A) Chemical composition of detritus (B) Temperature
(C) Soil moisture and soil pH (D) All of these

25. A higher biochemical oxygen demand in a particular segment of a river indicates that–
(A) The segment is free from pollution
(B) The segment is highly polluted
(C) Aquatic life has started flourishing
(D) The river has high number of anerobic bacteria

26. Which among the following is likely to have the highest levels of DDT deposition in its body?
(A) Sea gull (B) Phytoplankton (C) Eel (D) Crab

27. Green muffler scheme helps to reduce–

(A) Air pollution (B) Noise pollution (C) e-wastes (D) Both (A) and (B)

28. Nitrogen fixation means–

(A) N2 is absorbed by plants (B) Protein change into amino acids
(C) N2 change into nitrates (D) None of these

29. A logical sequence of carbon cycle is

(A) Producer - Consumer - Decomposer (B) Decomposer - Producer - Decomposer
(C) Consumer - Producer - Consumer (D) Producer - Decomposer - Consumer

30. Biogeochemical cycles are also known as

(A) Sedimentary cycles (B) Gaseous cycles (C) Material cycling (D) None of the above

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1. Which one of the following greenhouse gases contributes about 20% of the global warming?
(A) Methane (B) CFCs (C) CO2 (D) N2O

2. Gas released during Bhopal tragedy was–

(A) Methyl isocyanate (B) Potassium isothiocyanate
(C) Sodium isothiocyanate (D) Ethyl isothiocyanate

3. Green house gases are–

(A) Absorbers of long wave heat radiation from the earth
(B) Absorbers of solar radiations for warming atmosphere of earth
(C) Transparent to both solar radiations and long-wave radiation from earth
(D) Transparent to emissions from earth for passage into outer space

4. The supersonic jets cause pollution by thinning of :

(A) CO2 layer (B) SO2 layer (C) O2 layer (D) O3 layer

5. What are the chief pollutants of the atmosphere which are most likely to deplete the ozone layer?
(A) Sulphur dioxide (B) Carbon dioxide
(C) Carbon monoxide (D) Chloro fluorocarbons

6. The greenhouse effect is due to

(A) Impermeability of long wavelength radiations through CO2 of the atmosphere
(B) Penetrability of low wavelength radiations through O3 layer
(C) Penetrability of low wavelength radiations through CO2
(D) Impermeability of long wavelength radiations through O3 layer.

7. Often in water bodies subjected to sewage pollution, fishes die because of the
(A) pathogens released by sewage
(B) reduction of dissolved oxygen caused by microbial activity
(C) clogging of their gills by solid substances
(D) foul smell

8. Spraying of DDT on crops produces pollution of

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(A) Air only (B) Air and soil only

(C) Air and water only (D) Air, soil and water

9. Soil pollution is chiefly caused due to indiscriminate use of

(A) Pesticides (B) Weeds
(C) Wheat crops (D) none of these

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10. BOD refers to–
(A) The oxygen required for bacteria to grow in 1 litre of effulent
(B) The amount of oxygen consumed if all the organic matter in 1000 mL of water were oxidised
by bacteria
(C) The amount of oxygen released if all the organic matter in 1000 mL of water were oxidised
by bacteria
(D) The amount of oxygen released when all the organic matter was consumed by bacteria in
1 litre of water

11. Knock knee disease occurs due to–

(A) Hormone imbalance (B) Fluorine in water
(C) Cadmium (D) Lead

12. Which of the following is a free living nitrogen fixing bacterium present in soil ?
(A) Azotobacter (B) Nitrosomonas
(C) Rhizobium (D) Pseudomonas

13. Under anaerobic conditions, denitrifying bacterium Pseudomonas changes

(A) Nitrate to molecular nitrogen (B) Nitrate to ammonia
(C) Nitrate to nitrite (D) Nitrite to nitrate

14. If the plants of world die, all the animals will also die due to the shortage of
(A) Cold (B) Food (C) Oxygen (D) Timber

15. Role of bacteria in carbon cycle is

(A) Photosynthesis (B) Chemosynthesis
(C) Break down of organic compounds (D) Assimilation of nitrogen compounds

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Very short answer type questions

1. How are winds formed? (CCE-2011)
2. Write two methods adopted to control air pollution. (CCE-2011)
3. We are lucky that ozone is not stable near to the earth's surface. Why? (CCE-2011)
4. Name the bacteria responsible for nitrification in nature. (CCE-2011)
5. What is eutrophication? (CCE-2011)
Short answer type questions
6. Mention few harmful effects which are caused due to depletion of ozone layer.
7. What is green house effect? How is it caused ? (CCE-2011)
8. What causes acid rain ? Mention any demage caused by it on living organisms. (CCE-2011)
9. Justify the statement, "The nitrogen cycle is supposed to be an ideal cycle in the biosphere"
(CCE-2011)
10. Explain greenhouse effect.
Long answer type questions
11. How are clouds formed in the sky ? Draw the biogeochemical cycle involved in it. What are
the different states in which water is found in the water cycle ? (CCE-2011)
12. (a) How does energy enter the biosphere ?
(b) In the following biogeochemical cycle, name and define the process marked as (X), (Y) and
(Z).
(N2) (X)
(Atmosphere) Nitrates Plants Animals

(Z)

(Y)
Nitrate Nitrites Ammonia Decomposers
(c) What compounds of nitrogen cause air pollution and how are they released in the air?
(CCE-2011)

13. (a) What do you understand by ozone layer depletion ?

(b) What is air pollution ? How does air pollution affect animal and plant life? (CCE-2011)
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14. (a) In coastal area, wind current moves from sea towards the land during the day but during
night it moves from land to sea. Discuss the reason.
(b) How are CFCs harmful for the environment and living beings ? (CCE-2011)

15. (a) How is soil formed ? (b) Mention one cause of soil erosion. (c) Suggest four methods of reducing
soil erosion. (d)Is atmosphere of Venus and Mars different from our atmosphere ? How ?
(CCE-2011)

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Class IX : Biology

1. The best solution to stop environment pollution is - (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2007)

(A) Water conservation (B) Control on industries
(C) Land conservation (D) Population control

2. Soil erosion due to running water can be checked by- (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2007)

(A) animal grazing (B) afforestation
(C) Building reservoirs (D) Cultivation on steep slopes

3. The fuel producing least pollution is (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2010)

(A) Diesel (B) Coal (C) Kerosene (D) Hydrogen

4. Main causes of pollution in Indian rivers (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2010)

(A) Industrial waste, Bathing in river (B) Rain water, Bathing in river
(C) Drainage water, Industrial waste (D) Bathing in river, Drainage water

5. An indicator of SO2 pollution is (NSEJS/Stage-I/2009-10)

(A) Moss (B) Lichens (C) algae (D) Pteridophyte

6. Which fertiliser has the highest Nitrogen percentage- (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2011)

(A) Ammonium nitrate (B) Ammonium Sulphate
(C) Urea (D) Calcium Cynamide

7. The biological treatment of waste water makes use of - (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2011)

(A) Aerobic bacteria and fungi (B) Anaerobic bacteria and algae
(C) Aerobic and anaerobic bacteria (D) Anaerobic bacteria and eucalyptus leaves

8. CO2 & O2 balance in atmosphere is due to - (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2012)

(A) Respiration (B) Vapourisation
(C) Photosynthesis (D) None of these

9. Which gas does not produce green house effect- (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2012)

(A) CO2 (B) CH4 (C) H2 (D) CFC
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10. Least polluting fuel for vehicle is (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2012)

(A) Petrol (B) Diesel (C) CNG (D) LPG

11. Which one of the following is not a reason for shortage of usable water -(NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2012)
(A) Over exploitation (B) Climatic changes
(C) Deforestation (D) Decrease in sea level

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12. Which radiation harms ozone layer in the atmosphere? (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2016-17)
(A) Ultraviolet radiation (B) Infrared radiation
(C) Radio radiation (D) Red radiation

13. Plant group more senstive to the levels of sulphur dioxide in air is (NTSE/Stage-I/Raj./2017)
(A) Thallophyta (B) Lichen (C) Pteridophyta (D) Gymnosperm.

14. In a highly pesticide polluted pond, which of the following aquatic organisms will have the maxi-
mum amount of pesticide per gram of body mass ? (NTSE/Stage-II/2018)
(A) Lotus (B) Fishes (C) Spirogyra (D) Zooplanktons
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Class IX : Biology

ANSWERS
CHECK POST-1

1. (D) 2.(B) 3.(D) 4.(A) 5.(A) 6.(A)

7. (C) 8.(C) 9.(B)

CHECK POST-2

1. (C) 2.(A) 3.(D) 4.(A) 5.(B) 6. (B)

7. (A) 8.(C) 9.(C) 10.(D) 11.(D) 12. (B)

CHECK POST-3
1. (C) 2.(A) 3.(C) 4.(A) 5.(C)

EXERCISE-1 (ELEMENTARY)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. C B A A A B D C B A B B D D B
Que. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Ans. C C B B A C D A D B A D C A C

EXERCISE-2 (SEASONED)

Que . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. A A A D D A B D A B B A A C C

EXERCISE-4 (COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT)

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Ans. B B D C B C C C C C D A B B
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IMPORTANT NOTES

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IMPORTANT NOTES

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